As chain pharmacies shutter locations across the U.S., health systems and clinics are stepping in by investing in technology, opening new pharmacies and expanding services to ensure patients can access their medications, according to a May 13 report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Cass Family Clinic, a federally qualified health center in southwest Michigan, became the only pharmacy in the area after the local Rite Aid closed late last year. Within six months, Kevin Klipowitz, the clinic network’s pharmacy director, said prescription volume rose by 55% at locations in both Cassopolis and Niles, Mich.
To help manage the increased workload, the clinic purchased a Parata Max 2 pharmacy robot that stocks, fills, labels, caps and photographs vials for up to 200 medications.
Urban areas are also starting to see the effects of pharmacy closures. In Rochester, N.Y., the closure of five Walgreens locations created what officials called “pharmacy deserts.”
“It might be totally across the city, or somewhere not even in the city,” said Jason Smith, chief pharmacy officer for the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Rochester does have a busing system, but we don’t have great public transportation like New York City does, for example. So, it presented a big challenge.”
URMC opened the Highland Brooks Landing Pharmacy in Rochester last October near a previously closed Walgreens and now fills 250 to 300 prescriptions daily.
