Update: Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in Rural America, 2003-2018

Abstract

This Policy Brief continues the series of reports from the RUPRI Center updating the number of pharmacy closures in rural America with annual data. See our website for other analyses of trends and assessment of issues confronting rural pharmacies. Key Findings: (1) Over the last 16 years, 1,231 independently owned rural pharmacies (16.1 percent) in the United States have closed. The most drastic decline occurred between 2007 and 2009. This decline has continued through 2018, although at a slower rate. (2) 630 rural communities that had at least one retail (independent, chain, or franchise) pharmacy in March 2003 had no retail pharmacy in March 2018.