USC Pharmacy and Wellness center is school’s 1st community pharmacy in South LA to combat growing ‘pharmacy deserts’

SOUTH LOS ANGELES () — In a time where many major chain pharmacies are closing locations, “pharmacy deserts” are popping up throughout Southern California with urban areas hit especially hard.

USC researchers say many in these underserved communities not only lack access to prescription drugs, but many of these residents have high levels of chronic illnesses and low levels of health care literacy.

Now for the first time, USC is addressing this disparity with a new community clinic: the USC Pharmacy and Wellness Center.

In South Los Angeles, pharmacies are few and far between.

“A ‘pharmacy desert’ is defined as anywhere that there isn’t a pharmacy within a half mile walking or a mile by driving,” said Raffi Svadjian, executive director of USC Community Pharmacies.

At the heart of Nipsey Hussle Square, a dream eight years in the making, USC launched its first community pharmacy.

“My heart is full. This is so needed in this community,” said Thryeris Mason, president of the South Los Angeles Alliance of Neighborhood Councils.

She said after traveling far or relying on mail order to get prescriptions, seeing this pharmacy is a relief.

“There’s nothing like being able to walk into a pharmacy and get your own medication, ask the questions that you need to ask and get the answers that you need to get,” Mason said.

In an area where doctors see higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and STDs, this new center fills a much needed health care gap. Open six days a week, it also provides a wonderful teaching ground for pharmacy students.

“It’s an ideal environment to really understand what community pharmacy means,” said Vassilios Papadopoulos, dean of the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy.

The pharmacy is housed with a T.H.E. Health and Wellness clinic. It’s a place where people can fill their prescriptions and get medical care all in one place.

“It’s going to be huge in improving the health outcomes in this area,” said Dr. Derrick Butler, chief medical officer of T.H.E. Health and Wellness Centers.

“You know what’s different about this pharmacy is the community room space where there will be sound baths and yoga. We can have conversations about common issues that we all experience at any given point in our lives,” said Mason.

USC’s community pharmacy opens later this month. Clinic services are expected to begin in April. For many, it represents a new chapter.

“To bring accessible wellness back into this community it’s just. It’s a new day,” Mason added.