Several retail pharmacy chains have shuttered some of their stores this year, with more on the way for others, like Rite Aid, which filed for bankruptcy in May. It could create what some refer to as “pharmacy deserts,” areas in which drugstores and the additional services they provide may not be available for miles.

And in areas where other pharmacies are picking up the slack, it could have an impact on current customers.

“Closures of major chain pharmacies often create ripple effects across the community,” E. Michael Murphy, an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at The Ohio State University, told Nexstar via email.

Nearby pharmacies, independent or part of a chain, can see “a sudden increase in patients,” he explained, which could “lead to longer lines, and increase strain on the

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