Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Community pharmacies serve as key access points for healthcare services, yet recent retail pharmacy closures may exacerbate geographic healthcare disparities. This study aimed to identify areas in South Carolina with low pharmacy access and to assess how limited geographic access to pharmacies may disproportionally affect specific population groups.
METHODS: Active community pharmacies were identified using 2025 South Carolina Board of Pharmacy licensure records. For each pharmacy, 5- and 10-mile buffers were generated in ArcGIS Pro 3.6. Areas outside these buffers at the census-tract level were classified as pharmacy deserts. Demographic characteristics, including total population, sex distribution, and proportion of residents aged <18 or >65, were obtained from the 2020 U.S. Census. Characteristics of census tracts classified as pharmacy deserts (5-miles outside of a community pharmacy) were compared with tracts with adequate pharmacy access using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests or Chi² tests, as appropriate. Statistical significance was defined as two-sided P < .05.
RESULTS: South Carolina has a population of approximately 5.1 million residents. Using 5- and 10-mile buffers around active community pharmacies, we found that 21% and 2% of the population, respectively, lived outside these access zones, meeting our definition of low pharmacy access (“pharmacy deserts”). Areas further than 5-miles had a higher proportion of residents that were ages 65 and older (p-value <0.0001), male (p-value <0.0001), and dependent status (ages under 18 and over 64) (p-value <0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of South Carolina residents experience limited access to pharmacies. Census tracts classified as pharmacy deserts are disproportionately populated by older adults and dependents, indicating that populations requiring greater healthcare support face increased barriers to pharmacy access. As community pharmacy closures continue, these access gaps may widen existing healthcare disparities. Targeted policy efforts and innovative access strategies are needed to preserve pharmacy services and ensure equitable access to essential medications and pharmaceutical care.