Retail pharmacies are rapidly evolving into community care hubs, and new survey data from the 2025 NACDS Total Store Expo reveals what’s driving this transformation.
Leaders across the industry shared their biggest challenges and most promising opportunities, and the results point to a future shaped by clinical expansion, smarter technology, and streamlined operations.
Expanding clinical services
Pharmacies are expected to provide more than simply filling and dispensing prescriptions. Services like immunizations, chronic disease monitoring, and point-of-care testing are becoming standard. But the shift isn’t easy.
Workforce shortages (41%) top the list of barriers, followed by budget constraints (35%) and lack of technology tools (6%), according to survey respondents. With limited staff and tight margins, expanding clinical roles requires strategic investment in both people and infrastructure.
