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A Bitter Pill:

National Pharmacy Closings Hinder Access, Increase Risk

Healthcare Network’s Collier County pharmacies offer flexible alternative

by By Martine Woolley, PharmD, MS, MBA, Vice President of Pharmacy

ajor pharmacy chains have closed hundreds of If a prescription is too costly or not covered by insurance, the
locations in the past year, making pharmacy services provider can prescribe an alternative immediately, and refills can be
M harder to find in some areas and, where such services expedited with providers nearby.
are no longer available, creating “pharmacy deserts.” Without a For those with complicated medical regimens or multiple
nearby pharmacy, patients may have to travel further and navigate medications, pharmacists can organize pills in blister packs to
transportation challenges to obtain critical medications. help a patient track what to take and when. Healthcare Network’s
Access to a convenient pharmacy is vital because adults are pharmacies provide mail-order and prescription delivery services,
taking more prescription medications every year; up to 60% of with support available for patients who speak languages other
U.S. adults reported they took at least one prescription drug in than English. Our multilingual pharmacy staff and language
2023. Without access to a convenient pharmacy, patients may interpretation services ensure clear communication, allowing us to
struggle to obtain life-saving medications, resulting in more cases stay closely connected with patients, offering guidance, education,
of unmanaged chronic conditions, extended illness, and sometimes and encouragement as part of their care team.
severe health complications. Even delayed access to medications Rising medication costs are another significant issue. According
can have serious health consequences, including higher medical to the American Hospital Association, drug prices for nearly
costs and health complications. 2,000 medications rose between 2022 and 2023 at a rate exceeding
Often, when a service is no longer available, that is when we inflation, with an average increase of 15.2%. These high costs
recognize how truly important they are. National Pharmacist are particularly burdensome for low-income, uninsured, and
Day in January is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the underinsured individuals, with estimates indicating that as many
important contributions that pharmacists and pharmacy teams as 44% of patients forgo filling prescriptions due to financial
make to community health. Pharmacists do more than just constraints.
dispense medications. They help patients find affordable therapies As an FQHC, Healthcare Network can offer some medications
and provide preventive care services including vaccines and health at a reduced price through the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which
screenings. Pharmacies also often offer medical supplies and over- requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell medications at a lower
the-counter drugs. As people take more medications, pharmacists price to FQHCs. In addition, our pharmacies accept most major
are at the forefront of medication reconciliation, which includes insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and can help
reviewing all the medications a patient is taking to avoid errors patients apply for available discounts from pharmacy assistance
such as omissions, duplications, dosing errors or drug interactions. programs.
Medication therapy management is also a vital service, offering Providing pharmacy services in areas of Collier County that
patients education and consultation on their prescriptions, over- already lack primary care doctors is one of the many ways that
the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. This helps Healthcare Network is increasing access to essential medical care
patients better understand and manage their health. for the community.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) like Healthcare About the Author
Network in Collier County provide additional benefits through Dr. Martine Woolley leads pharmacy operations at Healthcare
their integrated pharmacy services. Healthcare Network has two Network, including the Federal 340B discount program, to ensure
on-site pharmacies: Nichols Community Health Center in Golden accessible, high-quality care for patients and families. For more
Gate and Marion E. Fether in Immokalee. These locations allow information about Healthcare Network’s pharmacy services, visit
patients to see a provider and fill their prescriptions at the
HealthcareSWFL.org
same site.

239-658-3000 HealthcareSWFL.org SUPPORT: healthcareswfl.org/donate/

4848 www.LifeInNaples.net