Pharmacy Access Matters for Texans — Why Every Option Should Remain on the Table

For millions of Texans living with chronic conditions, uninterrupted access to prescription medications can be the difference between stable health and a hospital visit. Whether through a local pharmacy or home delivery, consistent access to medicines is what helps keep complications at bay.

Across the country, pharmacy access is undergoing changes. Major pharmacy chains are closing hundreds of retail locations as the industry adjusts to economic pressures, changing consumer behavior, and workforce shortages. Even large national chains have announced store closures in recent years as part of broader restructuring efforts. As the pharmacy landscape evolves, patients increasingly rely on a mix of pharmacy options.

In Texas, access challenges abound. More than 30 Texas counties do not have a single retail pharmacy, and many rural communities rely on a single location serving large geographic areas. When local pharmacy options are limited, or when stores close, some patients turn to mail delivery or specialty pharmacy services.

Recent research published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy and a report from the Texas-based Episcopal Health Foundation shows that patients who receive medications through delivery services often maintain higher medication adherence rates, helping prevent complications and hospitalizations. For certain populations—including veterans, seniors, and individuals with mobility challenges—home delivery can be an especially important option.

At the same time, community pharmacies remain a vital part of the healthcare system. Local pharmacists provide in-person guidance, medication counseling, and immediate access to prescriptions when patients need them.

That is why Texans for Affordable Healthcare believes policymakers should carefully consider how changes to pharmacy policy could affect patient access. As other states debate pharmacy policy changes, Texas patients, families, employers, and healthcare providers help inform the conversation.

If pharmacy access has affected you or your family, we want to hear from you. Real patient experiences help ensure policymakers understand how changes in the pharmacy marketplace impact Texans’ ability to access affordable, reliable care.

At Texans for Affordable Healthcare, we remain focused on advancing policies that strengthen affordability, accessibility, and transparency across the healthcare system.

Do you have a story to tell about your pharmacy access challenges? Do you rely on certain pharmacy services that you don’t want changed? We want to hear from you! Share Your Story With Us Here