Not that long ago there were three large commercial pharmacies located within the boundaries of Albuquerque’s International District — Walmart, CVS and Walgreens — including a small independent one, Phil’s Pills. Today, only Phil’s Pills remains. The effect for residents seeking to fill prescriptions has become a problem with potentially dire consequences.
“For some folks, it’s actually life-threatening if you can’t get your insulin or your blood pressure meds,” said Janus Herrera, a health promotion specialist at Albuquerque’s Health Equity Council who has studied the issue.
The low-income International District is now considered an urban “pharmacy desert,” with more than 25,000 residents unable to access a pharmacy within a reasonable walking distance.
While the term “food desert” has been in the public consciousness for decades — areas where it is difficult or impossible to buy quality fresh food — the pharmacy desert is a newer phenomenon. Analysts say it emerged between 2009 and 2015 when one in eight U.S. pharmacies closed — mostly independent pharmacies in low-income areas with underserved populations like the International District.
The recent closures of Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens have left some residents scrambling. While the reasons for the closures were never fully disclosed by company officials, there’s speculation that profit loss from shoplifting and a perceived lack of police presence were contributors.
“We now have this massive pharmacy desert,” Herrera said.
The city defines the International District as bounded by the boulevards of Lomas to the north, Gibson to the south, Wyoming to the east and San Mateo to the west.
Herrera said her analysis shows that older adults are the most affected, along with those with disabilities, or those who are precariously housed or experiencing homelessness. She said some residents don’t own vehicles (or aren’t able to drive) and can’t afford ride-sharing services. In addition, home delivery is often not an option for those without a stable mailing address.
“The International District has the largest concentration of transit-dependent residents in the state,” Herrera said, including high densities of residents in a low socioeconomic status, particularly east of Louisiana Boulevard. “It’s the largest and most vulnerable population.”
Herrera gave public comment on the International District’s lack of pharmacies at the May 6 Albuquerque City Council meeting and handed out a one-sheet policy paper on the issue to city councilors.
The Health Equity Council issues quarterly policy recommendations to city and Bernalillo County leaders. It is funded by the county and is a partner with the city of Albuquerque’s Health, Housing & Homelessness Department.
Impacts, consequences
Herrera stressed that the effects of living in a pharmacy desert can be severe.
Limited access to prescriptions means people end up skipping doses or taking a lower dose, and that can cause long-lasting health issues, increased hospitalization rates and death. Additionally, treatment costs become higher on average.
Herrera said she’s talked to older adults who are impacted because they are no longer able to drive.
“They said they used to walk to Walmart because that was their pharmacy,” she said. “Then they had to walk a couple more blocks to Walgreens, but it closed. I’ve talked to individuals who have delayed getting prescriptions because they keep getting shuffled from place to place.”
Walmart closed in March 2023 followed by Walgreens just months later. CVS announced that it was closing its International District location in 2019.
Next week, City Desk ABQ looks at potential solutions for the prescription desert from the Health Equity Council and others, including ways the city might help.