Causes and consequences of rural pharmacy closures: a multi-case study

Kelli Todd; Katie Westfall; Bill Doucette; Fred Ullrich; Keith Mueller; RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis

Causes and consequences of rural pharmacy closures: a multi-case study

Journal article

Open access

Causes and consequences of rural pharmacy closures: a multi-case study

Kelli Todd, Katie Westfall, Bill Doucette, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller and RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis

Rural policy brief, (2013 11), pp.1-4

08/01/2013

PMID: 25399462

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url

https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2013/Pharmacy_Loss_Case_Study.pdfView

Published (Version of record)Free to read and download, Open Access

Abstract

Local rural pharmacies provide essential pharmacy and clinical services to their communities. Pharmacists play a critical role in the continuum of care for rural residents, and the loss of a local pharmacy may impact access to prescription drugs and clinical care. This policy brief identifies factors that contributed to the closing of six pharmacies and describes how the affected communities adapted to losing locally based services. Key Findings. (1) Five out of the six pharmacies studied closed due to retirement and/or difficulties in recruiting a successor. (2) In five of the six communities, residents now either drive to the nearest pharmacy or use mail-order to receive their prescriptions and, in some instances, receive their prescriptions through a courier service from a pharmacy in a nearby town. (3) Access to pharmacy services in these communities is of most concern for individuals with limited mobility and those who lack a support system that can pick up and deliver their prescriptions (e.g., the elderly and people with acute conditions).

United States

Community Pharmacy Services - economics

Community Pharmacy Services - supply & distribution

Health Facility Closure - economics

Health Services Accessibility - economics

Humans

Pharmacies - economics

Pharmacies - supply & distribution

Rural Health Services - economics

Rural Health Services - supply & distribution

Details

Title: Subtitle: Causes and consequences of rural pharmacy closures: a multi-case study
Creators: Kelli Todd
Katie Westfall
Bill Doucette
Fred Ullrich
Keith Mueller
RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Rural policy brief, (2013 11), pp.1-4
PMID: 25399462
eISSN: 2152-0267
Grant note: U1C RH20419 / PHS HHS
Language: English
Date published: 08/01/2013
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy; Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984221751702771

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