MA H1419

Directs the Office of Health Resource Planning to conduct a focused assessment on the supply, distribution, and capacity of pharmacy services, including identifying existing and potential pharmacy deserts in Massachusetts

Defines "pharmacy desert" as areas where the nearest pharmacy exceeds 1 mile (urban), 5 miles (suburban), or 10 miles (rural), or where travel time exceeds 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by public transit, or where at least 20% of the population lacks vehicle access

Requires the office to submit findings to the Health Policy Commission board and file a report with the legislature by September 1, 2026

Report must include assessments of impacted neighborhoods and populations, health care outcomes, geographic and financial barriers, travel distances, and effects on overall health care costs including emergency visits and hospitalizations

Report must analyze the role of pharmacy benefit manager business practices in pharmacy closures and provide policy recommendations to address current pharmacy deserts and prevent new ones