Report finds 51 communities in Virginia now meet ‘pharmacy desert’ criteria

WVEC 13 News Now

Reporter: Emily Harrison

Researchers presented early findings to Virginia lawmakers, sounding the alarm about the steadily decreasing rate of pharmacies across the region.

In 2024 alone, 50 pharmacies closed across the region. Early findings also showed that 51 small community areas across 28 localities met the standards of a 'pharmacy desert.'

This means a pharmacy could be 10 miles away, or even longer.

"I'm aware of a group in 2023 you identified a group of counties that had no pharmacies in them at all," said Otto Wachsmann, Delegate of the 35th District. "That includes Nelson, Charles City, Surry, and that number is getting worse.

There is also a lack of transportation to existing pharmacies. According to the data, roughly 6% of all Virginia households lack access to a vehicle.

When this happens, researchers said patients might skip appointments or forgo care entirely.

"Reduced pharmacy access is associated with reduced medication adherence, which leads to more expensive healthcare utilization or unnecessary or frequent department use," said Estalla Obi-Tabot, Senior Health Policy Analyst... Continue Reading