Westport Among Massachusetts Residents That Lack Convenient Access to a Pharmacy

A growing number of Massachusetts residents live in what are known as pharmacy deserts, a community without convenient access to a pharmacy.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) reported that "Over half a million Massachusetts residents live in a pharmacy desert, and another half a million residents live in a community at risk of becoming a pharmacy desert."

In our immediate area, portions of Westport meet the criteria for a pharmacy desert.

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Springfield-based WWLP-TV 22 reported the HPC DataPoints series report "reveals the number of pharmacies in Massachusetts has decreased by nearly 200 since 2019, representing a 17.1% decline, which significantly impacts access to medications and services for residents."

A review of the HPC reports shows that as of June 2025, there were 940 active retail pharmacies in Massachusetts. Access to pharmacy services was found in grocery stores, large chain outlets such as CVS, and mass-merchant, provider-based, small chain, and independent pharmacies.

The HPC report stated, "Pharmacies are a vital part of the health care continuum for patients, as an access point for over-the-counter medications, a setting to receive preventative services – such as vaccinations – and a place for pharmacists to dispense prescription medications and offer consultations to ensure their safe and effective use."

According to the report, "Currently, 8.3% of the Massachusetts population, about 580,000 people, lives in a pharmacy desert."

"This represents an increase of approximately 90,000 people living in a pharmacy desert since 2019, which is a direct consequence of the closure of nearly 200 pharmacies (on net) between 2019 and 2025," according to the HPC. "Another 7.5% of the population, about 525,000 people, lives in an area that would be a desert if the sole pharmacy in the area closed."

The recent closing of Rite Aid, including the pharmacies in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fall River, only adds to the growing problem. The Rite Aid chain closed all stores and went out of business in October 2025.

The Commission is calling for "timely policy action" to sustain and increase pharmacy access in Massachusetts.