Intermountain Healthcare shutters 25 retail pharmacies, redirects shoppers to CVS

Intermountain Healthcare might be shutting down 25 retail pharmacies and handing off their prescriptions and inventories to CVS Pharmacy starting in August, the businesses introduced this week.

Subsequent month’s closures goal low-volume retail pharmacies in Utah, the Salt Lake Metropolis well being system mentioned.

Every pharmacy’s recordsdata might be “securely and confidentially” transferred to a close-by CVS Pharmacy location, and sufferers will obtain a letter explaining the closures and the way to make sure their entry to medicines just isn’t interrupted.

“Each effort might be made to make sure sufferers and staff are effectively cared for throughout this transition,” Nannette Berensen, vice chairman and chief working officer of Intermountain Shared Scientific Providers, mentioned in a press release.

The businesses harassed that the closures don’t have an effect on Intermountain’s hospital inpatient pharmacies.

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The nonprofit system may also be persevering with its different pharmacy and drugs companies, together with medicine administration and drugs help and monetary assist. Residence supply pharmacy, specialty pharmacy and the retail pharmacy out of its Main Youngsters’s Hospital may also proceed to be supported.

Intermountain operates 25 hospitals, 225 clinics, a medical group and a medical insurance firm throughout Utah, Idaho and Nevada. The system mentioned within the announcement that it’s going to give staff affected by the closures an choice to transition to different inside roles or to be thought of for employment at one among CVS’ retail pharmacies.

Within the announcement, leaders from each firms acknowledged that buyers are more and more inquisitive about retail pharmacies that may ship extra companies and handy buying choices.

“CVS Pharmacy is aware of that these areas have been offering trusted pharmacy look after the Utah Neighborhood for years and we’re excited to proceed that custom,” David Royster, area director for CVS Pharmacy, mentioned in a press release. “We’re trying ahead to introducing our industry-leading services and products to those new sufferers and are dedicated to making sure that their pharmacy wants aren’t solely met however exceeded.”