Why are so many pharmacists leaving CVS?

Asked by: Lamont DuBuque  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (63 votes)

A year ago this week, 27 pharmacists walked off their jobs in and around Kansas City to protest understaffing, low technician pay and burdensome workloads at some CVS-owned pharmacies.

Why are so many pharmacists quitting CVS?

Pharmacists say CVS is understaffing and overworking them

From Nebraska to Iowa and California, pharmacists' professional associations are voicing their support for the Kansas City walkout, pointing to the national Pharmacy Workplace and Well-Being Report.

Why are CVS pharmacists walking out?

Employees at some of the largest drugstore chains in the United States staged a new series of walkouts across the country Monday to demand the companies fix what employees say are harsh working conditions that make it difficult for them to safely fill prescriptions, and which could put the health of their customers at ...

Why are so many CVS pharmacies closing?

Within the last year, the company has also cut about 5,000 jobs, per The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that when it spoke to a CVS spokesperson, they said the effort to pare down has been made “based on [the company's] evaluation of changes in population, consumer buying patterns and future health needs."

Is CVS Pharmacy in financial trouble?

Financial pressures have forced CVS to lower its earnings outlook three times this year. In a cost-cutting move, the company recently laid off approximately 2,900 employees and announced plans to reduce expenses by $2 billion.

Why Walgreens And CVS Are Shutting Down Thousands Of Stores

18 related questions found

Is CVS going out of business in 2024?

Similar to Rite-Aid and Walgreens, the pharmacy is making a huge shift that will impact customers. Your local CVS may be closing its doors for good. The drugstore chain is in the process of shuttering "roughly 300" locations across the country in 2024, a spokesperson confirmed to Good Housekeeping.

What is the CVS controversy?

The government alleges that by knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, CVS violated the CSA and, where CVS sought reimbursement from federal healthcare programs, also violated the FCA. The complaint alleges that CVS's actions helped to fuel the opioid crisis.

Why is CVS laying off so many people?

CVS Health, a major player in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, announced that it will lay off nearly 3,000 employees in 2024. These layoffs, which represent about 1% of the company's overall workforce, primarily focus on corporate positions and are part of a larger $2 billion cost-saving initiative.

Why is CVS declining?

CVS Health's recent stock decline is a result of several interwoven factors, including regulatory changes targeting PBMs, leadership transitions, heightened competition, and broader market instability.

What stores are closing in 2024 in the USA?

Retail closures were up 69% in 2024 when compared to last year, according to Coresight data reviewed by Newsweek.
  • Advance Auto Parts. ...
  • American Freight. ...
  • Big Lots. ...
  • Buybuy Baby. ...
  • CVS. ...
  • Denny's. ...
  • Family Dollar. ...
  • JOANN Inc.

What is going on with CVS and Walgreens?

CVS and Walgreens are ailing. They're closing hundreds of stores, laying off thousands of workers and rethinking their role in our lives. MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: America's biggest pharmacy chains are not healthy.

Does CVS give bonuses to pharmacists?

The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above.

Why are pharmacists leaving?

As pharmacy chains prioritize efficiency and profitability over patient care, pharmacists find themselves reduced to roles that emphasize dispensing medications at the expense of utilizing their clinical expertise.

Which is better, CVS or Walgreens?

What's Better: CVS or Walgreens? When comparing CVS vs. Walgreens, customer reviews indicate that Walgreens is the better pharmacy. However, other factors, such as cost and rewards programs, give CVS a competitive edge, putting it slightly ahead of Walgreens in these areas.

Who did CVS Pharmacy buyout?

CVS closed $8B deal for health services company Signify Health. CVS Health has closed its major acquisition of health services company Signify Health at a deal valued at $8 billion. The acquisition, first announced back in September, will help advance the health giant's push into value-based care.

Why is there a lack of pharmacists?

With American pharmacy schools seeing both the lowest numbers of applicants and graduates in recent history as the country's population continues to grow, patients may run into issues accessing pharmacists. At the same time, the United States is seeing a decline in independently-owned local pharmacies.

Is CVS in trouble financially?

Over the last few years, CVS has struggled with declining profit margins at its retail pharmacies, as well as rising costs of patient care through its insurance unit Aetna, which generates around a third of the company's revenue. So far, CVS has cut its 2024 earnings forecast for three straight quarters.

Is CVS in danger of closing?

“We are at a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable,” Wentworth said in June. CVS, the largest US chain, closed 244 stores between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, it announced plans to close an additional 900 stores. Earlier this month, CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 jobs corporate jobs.

Is CVS laying off employees in 2024?

By: Nancy Lavin - December 2, 2024 2:52 pm

Both cuts were part of the pharmacy giant's already-announced plans to lay off 2,900 employees nationwide, equal to 1% of its workforce, amid a weakening balance sheet pulled down by a struggling insurance arm and changing health care landscape.

Why is CVS falling?

For CVS, it's been a tough three years to navigate, as rising medical expenses, the COVID pandemic, and staffing issues have all weighed on its operations. The company hasn't been able to find much stability in its operations, and even now has struggled with forecasting.

Who owns most of CVS?

What percentage of CVS Health Corp (CVS) stock is held by retail investors? According to the latest TipRanks data, approximately 50.95% of CVS Health Corp (CVS) stock is held by retail investors. Who owns the most shares of CVS Health Corp (CVS)? Vanguard owns the most shares of CVS Health Corp (CVS).

What is the Outlook for CVS?

The 16 analysts with 12-month price forecasts for CVS Health stock have an average target of 69.25, with a low estimate of 58 and a high estimate of 86. The average target predicts an increase of 28.67% from the current stock price of 53.82.

What is the risk of a CVS?

Some risks are: Miscarriage: The miscarriage risk with CVS is less than 1 in 100 or 1%. Infection: As with most medical procedures, there's a small risk of infection. Limb deformity: Rarely, CVS testing can cause a baby to be born with a limb deformity (especially when CVS is done before 10 weeks).

Who is suing CVS and Walgreens?

The DOJ's suit against Walgreens echoes litigation filed against CVS in December, against Rite Aid in 2023 and against Walmart in 2020 alleging the companies knowingly prescribed suspicious controlled substances.