Healthcare costs for employers are on track to climb about 9% in 2026, and access to care keeps getting harder to find; roughly 108 million Americans live in areas without enough primary care, most of them in rural communities. A new resource from the Health Action Alliance points to a fix that's already built into daily life: the local pharmacy.

The guide, Beyond the Script: An Employer's Guide to Unlocking the Value of Pharmacy-Based Services, was commissioned by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. It highlights a gap most employers don't realize exists: 96.5% of Americans live within 10 miles of a pharmacy, and 57% visit one at least once a month, but few employers realize that pharmacists can provide clinical services beyond vaccines and prescriptions.

The playbook, written for HR and benefits leaders, walks through how to add pharmacy services to existing health plans, build direct partnerships with local pharmacies, educate employees on what's available, and track results. It also flags policy changes, like recognizing pharmacists as providers for payment purposes and expanding their scope of practice, that could extend these benefits further.

NACDS highlighted the playbook in a press release published on July 29, 2026. "Local pharmacies are more than just access points for medication; they have the potential to serve as frontline healthcare destinations," said Health Action Alliance Co-Founder and Co-CEO Stephen Massey in the release. "Employers who recognize this and act on it will gain a meaningful advantage: healthier workforces, lower costs, and employees who feel supported. This guide is designed to make getting started as straightforward as possible."