Our tool to help you identify pharmacy deserts across the country

NCPA April 16, 2026

NCPA, in collaboration with the University of Southern California, has developed an interactive pharmacy shortage area mapping tool that allows journalists, policymakers, community advocates, those looking to start their own pharmacy, and other stakeholders to identify pharmacy shortage areas. The tool, which is part of the USC-NCPA Pharmacy Access Initiative, shows that one in eight U.S. neighborhoods lack convenient access to pharmacy services, and that the issue is especially pronounced in rural and underserved urban communities.

Users can identify neighborhoods designated as pharmacy shortage areas, track pharmacy closures and openings, and view data by state, county, and congressional district, among other services. Try the mapping tool out here. You can read our full news release here.

The USC-NCPA Pharmacy Access Initiative is funded in part by a grant from the NCPA Foundation.

NCPA