Pharmacists aren’t pill counters. They’re your last line of defense.

Medication errors cause between 7,000 and 9,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Your pharmacist plays a critical role in protecting you from becoming part of that statistic.

Pharmacists don’t just provide the final safety check at the pharmacy counter – they verify doses, provide guidance on taking and administering meds, screen for interactions and allergies, and answer all manner of health-related questions. Millions of people — including one in three Americans who do not have a primary healthcare provider — depend on pharmacists to bridge gaps in healthcare access.

This makes the rapid rate of pharmacy closures and widespread burnout so alarming. Across the country, pharmacies are disappearing — fast.

Since 2010, nearly one in three U.S. pharmacies have closed. In rural and underserved urban areas, people are driving nearly an hour or more just to fill a prescription. This shortage translates to longer wait times, overwhelmed staff, and lives put at risk.

Our in-depth reporting on the pharmacy crisis is exposing the causes and consequences of these closures — from corporate middlemen driving small pharmacies out of business to dangerous burnout behind the counter.

But to keep the pressure on, we need your help.

Why Donate?

Your donation will directly support our public education campaign, which aims to:

Raise public awareness. So many medication users have no idea how close they are to losing access to their pharmacy care, or how a pharmacy shortage impacts their lives.

Get corporate attention. Better working conditions, fairer policies, and safer systems for patients and staff alike should be prioritized now more than ever.

Engage pharmacists. Partnering with us can amplify their stories, foster cooperation, and advance real solutions.

MedShadow is a non-profit that advocates for improved drug safety for all. We produce high-quality, independent journalism to help people make smart decisions about their health. No one at MedShadow — not staff, writers, or partners — ever receives financial support from the pharmaceutical or supplement industries. This commitment ensures the integrity and independence of our reporting and analysis.

With your support, we can continue publishing groundbreaking journalism on the pharmacy crisis. We can expand our reach across social media. We can host public webinars to educate consumers and connect pharmacy workers. And we can empower communities to speak up with tools and shareable content.

Community pharmacies are more than just a place to pick up meds. They’re one of the last accessible healthcare touchpoints in many neighborhoods. Join us in making sure Americans don’t lose this vital safety net.