Pharmacies play a key role in keeping communities healthy. They are often a trusted local resource, but healthcare access isn’t equal across America. Rural communities face bigger hurdles than their urban neighbors.
One major issue is the lack of pharmacy services. Many small towns have lost their only drugstore, creating “pharmacy deserts.” This leaves residents without easy access to medications and basic health services. Enter telepharmacy, a solution that bridges this gap through technology.
Telepharmacy is reshaping how rural Americans get their prescriptions and healthcare advice. This article explores how telepharmacy is transforming rural America.
The Rural Pharmacy Crisis
The pharmacy structure is rapidly collapsing in the US. This trend is reflected in major chains. CVS Health bought nearly 3,000 outlets and has already shut down hundreds. According to The Conversation, the collapse began in 2021, when it closed 900 outlets.
In late 2023, Rite Aid continued the trend by announcing that thousands of stores could cease operations due to its bankruptcy. Just last year, Walgreens disclosed it would shut down thousands of pharmacies across three years. When a local pharmacy shuts down, residents must drive farther.
This barrier worsens chronic conditions, lowers adherence, and increases hospital visits. For elderly people or those without reliable transportation, this creates a major barrier. Economic factors drive these closures.
Small-town pharmacies struggle with low reimbursement rates and competition from mail-order services, resulting in more pharmacy deserts across rural America.
How Telepharmacy Bridges the Distance
Telepharmacy connects patients with pharmacists through technology. It uses secure video calls, digital prescription systems, and automated dispensing machines.
In practice, a pharmacy technician at a remote location handles the basic tasks. They prepare medications under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist who works from a different location. The pharmacist reviews prescriptions, conducts final checks, and provides patient counseling through video.
This model works within a complex regulatory framework. According to a 2023 study, 28 states now allow some form of telepharmacy. However, each state has different rules and restrictions on the activity. Evidence from a 2023 JAMA study shows that states with relaxed telepharmacy rules had fewer pharmacy deserts than states with stricter regulations.
Pharmacy deserts in intervention states fell from 26.7% to 25.5%, whereas control states stayed at 19.0%. Furthermore, over 60% of telepharmacies were in medically underserved zones, compared with 34% of traditional pharmacies, making tele- pharmacies crucial for addressing healthcare gaps.
With these policy shifts enabling broader practice, let’s look at how you can become part of this growing telepharmacy workforce.
Becoming a Telepharmacist
Becoming a telepharmacist requires proper education and training. All telepharmacists must first become licensed by completing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and passing licensing exams. The good news is the educational landscape has evolved to meet this growing field. Many universities now offer a PharmD degree online, making education accessible without relocating.
The University of Findlay mentions the degree can be completed in 4 years or 9 semesters. After earning your degree, you must pass national and state law exams for licensing. You also complete the recommended training hours. Many positions require you to have at least two years of pharmacy experience. Moreover, licensing rules vary by state, so check local guidelines.
Meeting these standards offers competitive pay. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a telepharmacist is around $43,220 annually, or $21/hour. However, the range varies between $24,000 and $56,500. Ione, CA, Berkeley, CA, Sitka, AK, Wyoming, WY, and Blythe, CA, are among the highest-paying cities.
To succeed in this role, being good with pharmacy systems and telehealth tools is essential. Getting licensed in multiple states can offer you greater remote work options. Telepharmacists also need strong communication skills. Speaking clearly through video calls requires techniques different from those of in-person counseling.
Many pharmacists take extra courses in telehealth communication after getting their basic degree.
The Future of Telepharmacy
The future looks promising for telepharmacy. AI and automation integration will transform the industry. Similarly, robot-assisted dispensing and AI-driven drug interaction alerts will become standard, minimizing human error. Smart systems will help predict medication needs and identify potential drug interactions more effectively than today.
Telepharmacy platforms are adopting these tools, ensuring rural patients get cutting-edge care. Market analysts at OpenPR expected the telepharmacy industry to grow from $12.23 billion in 2024 to $14.27 billion in 2025. Additionally, the industry’s market share is estimated to exceed $26 billion by 2029.
Experts attribute this rapid growth to several key drivers:
- efforts to combat health inequality,
- government- and insurer initiatives,
- focus on preventive care,
- rising demand for remote healthcare solutions, and
- expansion of rural healthcare facilities.
Moreover, the expansion will bring services to more underserved areas and create new job opportunities in rural healthcare.
People Also Ask
Q1. Is telepharmacy secure and HIPAA-compliant?
Telepharmacy uses secure video platforms that comply with HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rule. Providers must inform you about privacy risks to your protected health information and follow the minimum necessary standard. Always verify their privacy practices and consent procedures before joining a session.
Q2. How is telepharmacy different from getting medicine by mail?
The main difference is personal interaction. Telepharmacy connects you live with a pharmacist for advice and questions, often at a local health spot. Mail order just sends your medicine. With telepharmacy, you still get that important face-to-face guidance via video, which the former lacks.
Q3. Does telepharmacy dispense controlled substances safely?
Yes, with strict protocols. Telepharmacists verify identities via video, follow DEA guidelines, and coordinate with onsite technicians. They cross-check prescriptions digitally and track controlled medications meticulously. This layered approach minimizes risks while responsibly meeting urgent needs in remote areas.
Telepharmacy is more than a trend—it’s a critical solution for rural America. It offers a practical solution to the rural pharmacy crisis by closing care gaps, boosting health outcomes, and revitalizing communities. As regulations evolve and technology improves, more communities will benefit.
For rural Americans, telepharmacy means better health outcomes and stronger communities. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about equity in healthcare access. As the trend continues, the gap between rural and urban healthcare may shrink.
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