All articles tagged with #pharmacy chains
CVS plans to close 271 stores in 2025, including three in Upstate New York, as part of a restructuring effort to save over $500 million, following the closure of about 900 stores between 2022 and 2024, amidst industry-wide challenges faced by pharmacy chains.
CVS and Walgreens, the two largest pharmacy chains in the United States, will begin dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone this month in a few states, making access to the medication easier for some patients. The chains plan to gradually expand to other states where abortion is legal and pharmacies are legally able to dispense abortion pills.
Congressional Democrats have revealed that major pharmacy chains in the US, including CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Walmart, provide patients' prescription records to law enforcement without requiring a warrant. Concerns have been raised by pro-choice advocates that law enforcement from states where abortion is criminalized may request pharmacy records to confirm whether a woman is prescribed certain medications, such as the abortion pill. Lawmakers are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to tighten regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to end the warrantless release of medical records by pharmacies.
A congressional investigation has revealed that major pharmacy chains in the US, including CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, hand over sensitive medical records to law enforcement without requiring a warrant. Some pharmacies even share this information without consulting legal professionals. Lawmakers are calling for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revise health privacy laws to require warrants for accessing medical records. The pharmacies argue that they are not violating HIPAA regulations, but lawmakers believe that HHS should strengthen the regulations to align with privacy expectations and constitutional principles. They also urge pharmacies to follow the lead of tech companies in protecting customer privacy and to publish annual transparency reports.
Frustrated pharmacists in the United States are considering going on strike to protest against overwhelming workloads and poor working conditions. These nonunion "wildcat strikes" have been occurring sporadically across the country, with larger walkouts planned for late October and early November targeting major pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. The pharmacists are not demanding better pay but rather more staff to alleviate their workload and improve patient safety. A survey conducted in 2021 revealed that a significant number of pharmacy workers feel they do not have enough time or support to perform their duties safely. The tension behind the counter has been exacerbated by the increasing demand for pharmacy services, leading to frustrated customers. Pharmacists organizing or participating in strikes face the risk of being fired, as they do not have the legal protection afforded to unionized employees. The potential strike is also fueled by frustration over big chains buying up smaller stores and the closure of numerous pharmacy locations, resulting in busier working conditions for remaining staff.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stopped distributing the white COVID-19 vaccination cards that were given out earlier in the pandemic. The CDC advises individuals to contact their state health department's immunization information system (IIS) to obtain a digital or paper copy of their full vaccination record. While major pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid no longer require the vaccination cards, they recommend bringing them to vaccine appointments for updating purposes. The federal government no longer requires vaccine cards for entry into the country, but travelers should check with their destination's requirements.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stopped distributing Covid-19 vaccination cards, which were previously given out with vaccines. The CDC advises individuals to contact their state health department's immunization information system (IIS) to keep track of their Covid-19 shots. While major pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart state that vaccination cards are not required for vaccination, they will update existing cards if patients bring them in. Rite Aid also no longer requires vaccine cards. The federal government no longer requires vaccine cards for international travel, but it is still advisable to check with your destination.
CVS Health is pledging to address workplace concerns raised by pharmacists after a series of walkouts and store closures in the Kansas City area. The protests, which have spread to nearly two dozen drugstores, highlight issues such as staff shortages, backlogs of prescriptions, and insufficient resources to administer vaccinations. The Kansas Pharmacists Association supports the protests, citing unsafe working conditions that prioritize medication volume over patient safety. CVS claims the walkouts have not impacted its business and is developing an action plan to address the concerns.
Some health insurance companies are lagging behind in covering the cost of the COVID-19 booster vaccine, leaving individuals to pay out-of-pocket fees ranging from $125 to $190 at major pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. While COVID-19 vaccines used to be free under the Public Health Emergency, the new boosters should be covered by most public and private health insurances. There is also a CDC Bridge Access Program that provides free COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured individuals until December 31, 2024. Some insurance companies are waiting for FDA approval before authorizing coverage for the boosters. It is advised for individuals to check with their insurance and the pharmacy before receiving the vaccine.
Major US pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS, have started offering flu and RSV vaccine appointments ahead of the fall respiratory virus season. Walgreens is offering flu shots for anyone 3 or older and RSV shots for adults 60 and older. Rite Aid and CVS also plan to announce availability soon. Walmart, Publix, and Kroger have not yet responded to inquiries about their vaccine plans. The pharmacies also plan to offer COVID-19 vaccines once authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Experts recommend getting the flu vaccine, especially for older adults and those with chronic health conditions, and getting the RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older.
Drug manufacturers Allergan and Teva, plus CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart will pay an additional $18.75 billion to settle lawsuits over their roles in the opioid crisis. The settlements will be paid to states and local governments to help communities still grappling with addiction and overdose. The distribution of funds will be calculated by population adjusted for the impact of the crisis. At least 85% of the money must go toward abating the drug crisis, and the companies are required to change their practices to protect the public. The national litigation remains ongoing with other defendants.
The Biden administration plans to spend over $1 billion on a new program called the Bridge Access Program for Covid-19 Vaccines and Treatment, which will offer free coronavirus shots to uninsured Americans later this year after the vaccines move to the commercial market. The program will include a partnership with pharmacy chains that will cover the administrative costs of giving the doses to patients. Pfizer and Moderna have pledged to offer the shots at no cost to those who lack insurance. The administration is also planning to buy discounted doses for community health clinics and federal and state vaccination programs that traditionally deliver vaccines to the uninsured.
The White House is planning to offer legal support to abortion pill manufacturers and pharmacy chains as it appeals a Texas court ruling suspending the approval of mifepristone. The FDA made a regulatory change in January that made it possible for retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills in the country for the first time, but more than a dozen states have passed laws limiting such sales. The White House is discussing ways to offer legal support, including having the U.S. Department of Justice back any legal challenges brought against manufacturers and pharmacies, and providing legal advice on how they can continue dispensing the pills.