Advocates warn Walgreens closures create 'pharmacy deserts' that hinder older adults and people with disabilities

Speakers at the Mayor’s Disability Council warned that recent pharmacy closures in San Francisco have created access problems for older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those who rely on in-home support services to pick up prescriptions.

Eileen Norman, public policy staff at the San Francisco IHSS Public Authority, told the council she represents roughly 25,000–26,000 IHSS recipients and that about 92% of them have authorized in-home providers to run errands such as pharmacy pickups. She said Walgreens closed 11 stores across the city and that closures in the Bayview left that neighborhood without a nearby pharmacy. Norman described longer travel distances and longer lines for caregivers as a new burden and encouraged MOD and council members to collaborate on solutions.

MOD Director Eli Jelardin also raised the closures during his director’s report, saying the Mayor’s Office on Disability is concerned about the impact on individuals with disabilities and older adults and is exploring strategies and alternatives with stakeholders. He advised residents affected by transfers of prescriptions to verify the designated Walgreens location, but also noted verification does not guarantee accessible access.

Council member Cindy Fassler suggested one temporary option: mail-order or pharmacy-delivery services such as OptimumRx that accept Medicare and private insurance and can deliver prescriptions to a person’s home or to a caregiver. Several council members and public commenters expressed interest in longer-term strategies to restore neighborhood pharmacy access and asked MOD to coordinate with other city agencies and community partners.

The council did not take formal action on the pharmacy issue during the meeting. MOD said it will continue stakeholder outreach and evaluate possible strategies to address the access gaps created by the closures.