Erie County’s web site hosts a map of independent and other retail pharmacies
Doctors and health care providers have a role to play in the safe transfer of prescriptions
ERIE COUNTY, NY— As nearly 70 Rite Aid pharmacy locations close in Western New York, the Erie County’s Department of Health and Department of Mental Health join with the Pharmacists Association of Western New York (PAWNY) to provide easy to use, point-and-click and printable maps to find the location of all pharmacies in Erie County along with important safety advice and practical recommendations to patients who need to transfer their prescriptions to a different pharmacy.
“It is important that those affected by the Rite Aid closure know all their options when choosing a new pharmacy,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank our departments of Health, Mental Health and Environment and planning for working with the Pharmacist’s Association of WNY to produce these helpful maps and provide this essential information.”
“Medication is treatment, and treatment interruptions can lead to poorer health outcomes and risks for expensive hospitalizations, and for our population health, wider health disparity gaps. This is our chance to reduce the risks of serious harm and ensure care continuity as much as possible,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Depending on the medication and condition, a break in care can put a person at risk for heart attack or stroke, more intense or painful symptoms, antibiotic and antiviral resistance, or debilitating withdrawal symptoms.”
“We are very worried that these closures will disrupt individual medical and mental health care,” said Commissioner of Mental Health Sarah Bonk. “Missing doses or abruptly ending a medication has consequences, especially for people who rely on medications for pain management, hormonal treatment or psychiatric and mental health conditions.”
Much like “food deserts,” neighborhoods and communities that lose a pharmacy lose convenient access to prescription medication and pharmacy services like consultations, over-the-counter medicine and vaccines.
“These closures are putting many of our neighbors at significantly increased health risk, especially people with limited resources, older adults, people with disabilities and people living with chronic medical or mental health conditions,” said Erie County Office of Health Equity Director Kelly Marie Wofford. “When your neighborhood pharmacy closes, traveling to another neighborhood can be an improbable task without access to a car or public transportation. Add to that insurance acceptance – not all pharmacies take all insurances - and the health costs of missed doses, and you can see how disruptive and daunting this situation is.”
“Our frontline pharmacists remain committed to providing the highest level of care to both new and existing patients, making the most of the resources available to them,” said PAWNY President Kara Wilcox, PharmD. “Pharmacy organizations in Western New York have come together to provide tools to aid patients and healthcare teams. Our hope, throughout this process, is that pharmacies can continue to be the most accessible providers of healthcare.”
With support from the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning’s Office of Geographic Information Systems, a searchable online map with independent and retail pharmacies, compiled by PAWNY, is available on the Erie County web site.
What patients and caregivers can do:
- Communicate with your doctor’s office: Inform your doctor about a change in your pharmacy access. They can help coordinate your care, recommend pharmacy options and help with the transition.
- Print your current medication list: Bring an up-to-date list of your medications (prescription, over-the-counter and vitamins/supplements), dosages and allergies to your new pharmacy to help prevent errors. Review any potential interactions, contraindications and special instructions with the pharmacist.
- Double-check your prescriptions: Confirm that all your medications have been transferred accurately. Report any mistakes or trouble with access immediately to your doctor and new pharmacy.
- Ask about affordable options: Speak with your pharmacist or doctor about generic alternatives or patient assistance programs.
- Communicate needs and barriers: Let your doctor know about any challenges you face in accessing medications, including language/understanding instructions, transportation or insurance issues, so they can help address them. Some pharmacies may offer home delivery, curbside delivery or mail order.
- Store all medications safely, up and away from children and pets. This includes over-the-counter pills, liquids, creams and sprays; cannabis and edibles; vitamins, minerals and supplements.
Resources:
Tip sheet for patients (PDF)
Tip sheet for physicians (PDF)
For more information:
On the Erie County Department of Health, visit https://www3.erie.gov/health/
On the Erie County Office of Health Equity, visit https://www3.erie.gov/health/health-equity
On the Erie County Department of Mental Health, visit https://www3.erie.gov/mentalhealth/
# # #
