The Evolving Role of Retail Pharmacies in Expanding Buprenorphine Access

From 2017 to 2023, the number of retail pharmacies in the United States that regularly dispensed buprenorphine—a critical medication for opioid use disorder—grew from 33% to 39%, according to a recent analysis published in Health Affairs.¹ This uptick underscores the increasing role of pharmacies in supporting public health initiatives and expanding access to essential addiction treatments.

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The increasing accessibility of buprenorphine at local pharmacies is indicative of a major change: pharmacists are taking more hands-on clinical roles. With nearly 40% of pharmacies now authorized for buprenorphine distribution, practical barriers to drug access, such as limited areas or shortages of doctors, can be eliminated.¹ This change is more consistent with the trends that are present in the health care industry today: ease of care, the removal of stigma, and decentralized disease management.

Independent pharmacies still face serious challenges that are deeply rooted in the market structure. A Financial Times report documented large-scale closures among national chains such as Walgreens and CVS, with hundreds of stores set to close by 2025—raising concerns about “pharmacy deserts” and reduced access in underserved communities.³

The forces that are causing physical access to be minimized are supported by the same opportunities found through automation and innovation. One of the major technological advancements that are rapidly being converted into large health care systems is the autonomous pharmacy system operation, which involves utilizing robotics for drug storage, retrieval, packaging, and dispensing. Stanford Health Care and Texas Children’s Hospital are some of the many health care institutions that have invested in these systems to foster their operational efficiency and safety.⁴

At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the pharmacy field. AI technologies are practically everywhere in health care, from drug discovery and monitoring drug safety up to supporting clinical decisions, personalized dosing, and the management of inventories. In one study, a hospital automation system for drug dispensing enabled by robots reached 100% accuracy for 350,000 drug doses.⁵ These innovations, along with improving the safety and the pace of work, extend the roles of pharmacists into the area of clinical and consultative services.

Digital care models go even further to expand pharmacy accessibility. Telepharmacy, meaning pharmaceutical care delivery through the use of telecommunications, has opened up the way for more effective medication counseling, therapy monitoring, and remote dispensing in areas that are underserved and are far away from the hospital.⁶ Success stories such as North Dakota’s longstanding telepharmacy program demonstrate the model’s viability in bridging gaps where pharmacist presence is limited.

Another emerging model involves collaborative practice agreements (CPAs), enabling pharmacists to manage drug therapy collaboratively with physicians under formal agreements. Where implemented, CPAs have enhanced care for chronic diseases by improving outcomes like A1c in diabetes, blood pressure control, and respiratory function in asthma patients.⁷ Such plans empower pharmacists as providers rather than mere dispensers, growing their role in direct care for patients.

The incremental increase in buprenorphine access marks just one aspect of pharmacy’s evolving footprint. Still, pharmacies face dual challenges: sustaining operations amid closures and workforce pressures while also adopting innovations ranging from AI and automation to telehealth and collaborative workflows.

REFERENCES

1. Guadamuz JS, Axeen S, Qato DM. Trends In The Availability Of Buprenorphine At US Retail Pharmacies, 2017-23. Health Aff (Millwood). 2025;44(9):1157-1163. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00349

2. Millman J. Despite Relaxed Prescribing Rules, Opioid Addiction Treatment Still Hard to Find at Pharmacies - September 2, 2025 - USC Schaeffer. USC Schaeffer. Published September 2, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/opioid-treatment-buprenorphine-access-pharmacies/

3. It’s Still Tough to Find a Key Anti-Opioid Treatment, Buprenorphine, at U.S. Pharmacies MedNews. Drugs.com. Published September 3, 2025. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.drugs.com/news/s-still-tough-find-key-anti-opioid-buprenorphine-u-s-pharmacies-126505.html

4. Overcoming barriers to buprenorphine in retail pharmacies. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.lac.org/assets/files/Overcoming-Barriers-to-Buprenorphine-in-Retail-Pharmacies.pdf.

5. Fewer Than Half of U.S. Pharmacies Carry One of the Most Effective Drugs for Opioid Abuse. Time. https://time.com/6186319/buprenorphine-overdoses-pharmacy-drug-treatment/

6. Gebel M. Access to opioid meds varies by pharmacy, study finds. Axios. Published August 23, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/23/opioid-treatment-access-pharmacies-study

7. More doctors can prescribe a leading addiction treatment. Why aren’t more people getting help? AP News. Published April 24, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/opioid-addiction-buprenorphine-suboxone-treatment-d60745aa4cee0959938ff4486501bf1a