Photographed a story in Rocky Mount, NC for the New York Times. Due to the downturn in the economy, esp. in Rocky Mount where unemployment has doubled to 14% in the last year, pharmacists at Almand’s Drug Store have been put in the position of helping clients tp pick which of their prescriptions are the most important because they are unable to afford all of them. Most of the folks are on Medicaid or Medicare but the co-pays for some of the drugs are still too high. Story is here, more photos here.
Traci W. Suber, right, a pharmacist, said customers sometimes wanted her to tell them which of their drugs was most important.
Clients wait for their prescriptions to be filled.
The majority of the stores in downtown Rocky Mount have shut down.
In store advertising offers deals on certain drugs.
Arlene Birth is a client of the pharmacy.
Gloria, a store clerk, advises waiting customers.
Many vacant homes dot the Rocky Mount landscape.