Racial differences in pharmacy access may lead to unfair access to COVID-19 vaccines – HEOR insights

In 2016, I conducted a retrospective study to examine whether access to pharmacies varied across Pennsylvania counties based on their racial or ethnic composition. Study results highlight racial disparities in pharmacy access in Pennsylvania. Research results show that

1. Only one pharmacy per square mile in the five counties with the highest percentage of blacks, as opposed to 24 pharmacies per square mile in the five counties with the highest percentage of whites
2. Pharmacies in the five counties with the highest percentages of blacks serve more residents (4,479 residents per pharmacy) than pharmacies in the five counties with the highest percentages of whites (4,330 residents per pharmacy) per pharmacy)

CNN recently cited the study in their report, which highlighted that racial disparities in access to pharmacies may affect access to the COVID-19 vaccine in nursing homes. underserved communities because pharmacies have a key role to play in expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine.