The State of the Pharmacy Market
There are more independent pharmacies in America today than there were a year ago.
Using data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), we measure the net number of retail independent and chain pharmacies annually. Over the last year, the number of retail independent pharmacies nationwide increased by 67 stores or 0.3% since last year. Independent pharmacies, in fact, show relative strength compared to large chain ones. The number of retail chain pharmacies decreased by 1,924 stores or 5.5%.
PBMs have continued to support independent pharmacies in recent years by implementing innovative programs to help foster a healthy independent pharmacy market.
RESEARCH SHOWS US
The Number of Retail Pharmacies in 2026
The map below shows a snapshot of the number of each state's independent, chain, and total pharmacies in 2026.
Definitions
- Retail Chain Pharmacy - A group of pharmacies with four or more pharmacy locations under common ownership.
- Retail Independent Pharmacy - A pharmacy that is part of a group of three or less pharmacies under common ownership.
Annual Number of Independent and Chain Retail Pharmacies
Retail pharmacies have opened and closed stores throughout the years, with chain pharmacies driving the total number of closures. This type of churn at the business level can represent normal dynamics with new businesses opening or existing businesses expanding, while others may sell or close their businesses. New research suggests that the retail independent pharmacy market shows normal churn, and is in line with other industries, such as grocery stores. The net number of retail chain and independent pharmacies represents the market as a whole. The graph below demonstrates the net number of pharmacies over the 5-year period 2022 through 2026.
Other Research on Pharmacies
Community Pharmacy Turnover and Context of Openings and Closings by Ownership Type
Independent Pharmacies in the U.S. are More on the Rise than on the Decline (Hatemi and Zorn)
Five Things to Know About the State of Independent Pharmacy Economics (Drug Channels)
Data We Don’t Know if We Can Believe in? NCPA’s Data Differs Greatly from the Number of Pharmacies Reported by NCPDP (Hatemi)
There are More Independent Pharmacies, Just Look at Real, Accurate Data
The Resurgence of Independent Pharmacy (Marwood Group)
Nationwide, More Independent Pharmacies Opened in 2020
