MA S858

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

"Pharmacy desert" defined as areas where 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

Report due by September 1, 2026 to the Health Policy Commission board, legislature, and multiple state agencies including the Department of Public Health

Assessment must analyze impacts on affected neighborhoods, health outcomes, medication access barriers, healthcare costs including emergency visits and hospitalizations

Report must evaluate how pharmacy benefit manager business practices contribute to pharmacy closures and provide policy recommendations to address current pharmacy deserts and prevent new ones