The [underutilized] power of independent pharmacies to promote public health in rural communities: A call to action

Independent community pharmacies are in a unique and powerful position to promote public and individual health in their communities. Independent pharmacies are particularly important in rural communities where there are few chain pharmacies and accessible health clinics. West Virginia received national attention recently when they opted out of the Federal Pharmacy Program collaborating with CVS and Walgreens and developed their own plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration, heavily relying on independent pharmacies and the infrastructure they already have in local communities. However, in other areas of public health with urgent, unmet need, such as pregnancy prevention, there is considerable room for independent pharmacies to improve. The pandemic has allowed independent pharmacies to shine during the vaccination effort and has demonstrated what can be accomplished when policymakers, providers, and pharmacists work together for the benefit of community health. Expanding such collaboration to include contraceptive provision and counseling in a timely, nonjudgmental manner could play a pivotal role in preventing unintended and unwanted pregnancies.