Iowa’s pharmacy business remains vibrant, homegrown

Part 2 of two-part series on state of pharmacy business in Iowa. Read Part I here.

A long-term stagnant national economy has caused some traditional industries to consolidate and centralize — leaving smaller communities to suffer. Not so in Iowa with the pharmacy business.

An analysis of data by the American Pharmacy News indicates that Iowa’s pharmacy business has largely weathered the economic storm and remains strongly local, home-grown and vibrant.

Statistics examined from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa Health Professions Tracking Center, show:

The number of Iowa pharmacists has increased 24% since 1996, from 2,344 to 2,901.

All 99 counties in Iowa have 2 or more pharmacists.

Each of Iowa’s 99 counties has at least one pharmacist who is a Drake or University of Iowa graduate.

Iowa pharmacists are still largely Iowans by birth. The percent of Iowa born pharmacists is virtually unchanged from 1996 to 2013 (67.9% to 67.1%).

By a more than 2 to 1 margin, the ratio of pharmacists to Iowa residents within counties increased from 1996 to 2013. The ratio increased in 57 counties, decreased in 26 counties and remained the same in 16 counties.

Another source of information, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, reports much the same thing. According to the state agency, the number of pharmacies in Iowa has remained constant over the past four years.

An evolving national economy, reacting to stagnation and technological advances, has reshaped and even decimated some institutions but not the pharmacy business in Iowa. The numbers are clear — tradition is winning in this Midwestern state.