Why is CVS closing pharmacies?

Asked by: Miss Carli Wilkinson  |  Last update: April 6, 2025
Score: 5/5 (3 votes)

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."

Why are CVS closing stores?

CVS in 2021 announced plans to close 900 locations over three years, citing factors such as population shifts, consumer buying patterns, store density in communities, access to pharmacy services and future health needs.

Why is CVS having trouble?

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.

Why are all pharmacies closing?

Changing consumer trends and market dynamics are leading to hundreds of pharmacy store closures in the U.S. Brick-and-mortar locations are losing to mail-order and digital options, according to a J.D. Power study of pharmacy customers.

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.

Why Walgreens And CVS Are Shutting Down Thousands Of Stores

18 related questions found

Is CVS going out of business in 2024?

CVS plans to close hundreds of stores

CVS announced in 2022 that it had a goal of closing around 900 locations between 2022 and 2024, with around 300 closures per year. The company has already closed around 600 stores and planned to conclude the closing of the additional 300 locations at the end of November.

Is Walgreens going out of business in 2024?

The thinning of Walgreens locations has been in the works. Walgreens said in October 2024 it planned to close about 1,200 underperforming stores across the U.S. as a strategy to offset declining profits resulting from low drug reimbursement rates and sluggish retail sales.

Is CVS 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.

What happens if my pharmacy closes?

If you are not informed that your pharmacy is closing, you may run out of your medicine and not be able to refill it when needed. You may have to travel miles to another pharmacy to get your prescriptions filled. Your doctor may have to send a new prescription to the new pharmacy, but may need to examine you first.

What is the real reason Walgreens is closing?

Walgreens is closing more locations. Walgreens is closing approximately 1,200 locations as the drug store chain struggles to contend with online competitors and declining prescription drug payments. By 2027, about one in seven Walgreens currently open will close its doors.

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.

What is the best pharmacy to use?

Good Neighbor Pharmacy ranks highest among brick-and-mortar chain drug store pharmacies for an eighth consecutive year, with a score of 775. Good Neighbor received top scores in all study dimensions, including "level of trust with pharmacy." Health Mart (729) ranks second and Rite Aid Pharmacy ranks third (650).

Is CVS changing its name?

It also announced it would change its corporate name to CVS Health to reflect "its broader health care commitment" and a desire to change the future health of Americans, although all retail stores would continue to be called "CVS/pharmacy", unless they did not contain a pharmacy, in which case they are just signed CVS.

What is going on with CVS?

In 2021, USA Today reported that CVS announced a plan to close nearly 900 stores from 2022 to 2024, with the goal of about 300 per year.

Was CVS bought out by Target?

CVS purchased Target's pharmacy business from the big box retailer in 2015 for $1.9 billion. It currently operates about 1,800 pharmacies within Target's 1,950 US locations. CVS has about 9,000 pharmacy locations overall. Representatives from Target declined to comment on the closures.

Which is better, CVS or Walgreens for prescriptions?

Plus, with CVS you have access to their in-store clinics and better prices on OTC medications and prescriptions. So, if convenience and quick service are your priorities, Walgreens might be the better choice.

Why are so many pharmacies closing?

The front end of drug stores, which sells snacks and household staples, have become less profitable as shoppers buy more of these items online from Amazon and at big-box chains such as Walmart and Costco. Both have grown in recent years. Dollar General's growth has also hurt drug store chains in rural areas.

Where to get meds if the pharmacy is closed?

Another option is to go to an urgent care clinic. A doctor there may write you a prescription for a one-time dose to hold you over until you can get in touch with your primary care physician.

Can a pharmacy refuse to sell to you?

The terms of service that NHS pharmacies operate under include an obligation to provide prescribed medication with reasonable promptness. There are circumstances where a supply by a pharmacist can be refused but these do not include issues of conscience.

Why are so many CVS 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.

Who is CVS merging with?

Merger announcement

CVS-Aetna announced their proposed merger on Dec. 3, 2017. The CVS-Aetna deal is the biggest health care merger in U.S. history. The AMA immediately began analyzing the merger's likely impact on competition.

Is CVS Health struggling?

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.

Why is Walmart closing stores suddenly in 2024?

Update: Now that 2024 is wrapping up, you can see the full list of Walmart closing for 2024 here. Walmart is closing down a total of 11 stores in 2024. The most recent closures, which occurred in two states, came as the company is experiencing poor financial performance as well as retail theft in those areas.

Who is buying out Walgreens?

Walgreens is reportedly exploring selling itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. It might be the right decision for the company, some experts say.

Why does CVS always build next to Walgreens?

So, the next time you see a CVS and a Walgreens side by side, understand that it's a calculated strategy. They are leveraging their strengths to ensure that customers have easy access to their stores, knowing that convenience can drive loyalty and sales.