America's pharmacy deserts: Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens will shut more than 1,500 stores due to crime and competition - leaving MILLIONS without access to healthcare

DAILY MAIL ^ | 23 October 2023 | RACHEL BOWMAN

[george76]

Rite Aid said it will close 150 of its 2,100 US locations after filing for bankruptcy..

CVS is set to close the doors on 900 of its stores by the end of 2024..

Walgreens will shutter 150 stores by summer 2024 - leaving millions in 'pharmacy deserts' .

The nation's largest drugstore chains, Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens, will shutter more than 1,500 stores, leaving millions of Americans without access to healthcare in 'pharmacy deserts.'

Rite Aid said it will close 150 of its 2,100 US locations after they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month.

The pharmacy chain has been unable to settle hundreds of lawsuits that accused them of overprescribing opioids and has struggled to keep up with competitors.

A slew of drugstore chains slashing their locations has left millions of people living in areas where it's difficult to obtain medication, areas known as 'pharmacy deserts,'

...

CVS made the reforms to adjust to the needs of online shoppers while battling rampant shoplifting.

In September, CVS store manager Michael Jacobs, 49, was shot and killed by customer accused of shoplifting in Arizona.

Photos show barren shelves in a DC CVS store that is routinely ransacked by groups of up to 50 teenagers.

CapitalOne Research estimated stores had lost $86.6 billion to retail theft in 2022 and projected that by 2025, retail theft may cost stores over $115 billion.

[Mears]

They have become convenience stores with a pharmacy located in the rear.

Aisles of a lot of junk .

…..

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I can see civilization in the rearview mirror.

[Dr. Sivana]

Anyone remember the failed Grants Department Stores?

Not the same. K-Mart bought almost ALL of the WT Grant stores and were bigger still. Behemoths like Target and Wal-Mart had no problem knocking out smaller regional competitors like Ames, Venture, Caldor and eventually took out K-Mart itself.

CVS/Walgreens/Rite-Aid were trying to be a lot more than a pharmacy, and the changing economy does not support people spending $50 on junk food, trinkets and cosmetics while picking up the medicine. These behemoth knocked of the traditional drug stores, which in their day happened to have the best candy selection, only public phone around, cigars and cigarettes, and often a soda fountain/ice cream parlour.

They didn't get too big, because Amazon and Wal-Mart, their competitors, are bigger still. Some insurance companies do their best to encourage people to enroll in direct mail programs to cut out drugs altogether.

[Freee-dame]

A new CVS is about to open directly across the street from the Walgreens near where I live. Walgreens will probably be gone soon.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

All by design, Comrade!

How ya gonna get ‘Socialized Medical Care for All’ if you don’t shut this stuff down?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The pharmacy chain has been unable to settle hundreds of lawsuits that accused them of overprescribing opioids

O-kay. I thought a doctor had to prescribe opioids. You mean I can just walk up to the counter at Rite-Aid and ask them to prescribe some Norco for my hangnail?

Why do I doubt that?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Let the culture wastelands realize what they have done to themselves.”

But, they NEVER DO...until the pain is distributed EQUALLY to us ALL! *SPIT*

[Mr_Peter]

Check out costplusdrugs.com by Mark Cuban (Shark Tank). Saved me hundreds of dollars. Dropped my crappy medicare insurance, and still costs me way less than the premium plus co-pay.

[Mr_Peter]

Excellent analysis.

[Dave911]

Welcome to liberal hell people.

[FlingWingFlyer]

It’s nice to know the Brandon Administration has imported 7 million more thieves since it rose to the throne.

[PubliusMM]

Bullshit! These folks may have to drive further, but they will not be out any ‘healthcare’...

[Tea Party Terrorist]

Dude, are you blind?

[from occupied ga]

Waaaa waaaa waaaa if you don’t want retail deserts DON’T VOTE DEMOCRAT. Every condition: crime, inflation, failing economy, etc that leads to retail closure is a direct result of Democrat governance. So if you’re a Democrat voter, then you are getting exactly what you voted for and exactly what you deserve. Except you’re probably NOT getting all the grief you deserve because those of us who are not brain dead zombies are affected by your stupidity and willful militant ignorance.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Too many uncivilized shoppers up in DC. They think they live in the jungle and have now turned it to a desert. Stealing and looting has consequences.

[Secret Agent Man]

Closing off options. Part of the plan.

If you buy online then they control you that way too. Take that away and then you’re cut off unless you do what they say.

Less options == more totalitarian control.

[ducttape45]

Stolen elections have consequences

[Texan5]

Drug stores are not health care providers-and i don’t care if the ghetto rats have to drive further to get to one because numerous thefts closed the one nearby...

[2nd Amendment]

I just went to a Walgreens in Atlanta for a sinus infection. Best medical service I’ve got in many of year. Even got a follow up call the next day! Cost me $30 copay

[jmacusa]

Oh. S**t.

I have to use Walgreens as it’s the only pharmacy I can use as per my employers prescription plan.