- DML Health
- Posts
- America's largest pharmacy chain shuts another 270 stores after closing 900
America's largest pharmacy chain shuts another 270 stores after closing 900
Written by Dennis Michael Lynch.
In partnership with
DML Health may have ads that pay me a fee (~$1) if you click them. You’re not obligated to buy anything, and I won’t get credit if you do. But your clicks are critical as they keep this newsletter free, support my work, and lead to sites with products or services I find to be valuable..
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
CVS Store Closures Signal Trouble as Pharmacy Deserts Grow
America’s pharmacy landscape is shrinking, and local communities are feeling the pinch. CVS, the nation’s largest pharmacy chain with over 9,000 locations, confirmed it will shutter 270 stores in 2025, following 900 closures over the past three years. This follows a broader trend, with Rite Aid, another major player, closing over 300 stores and filing for bankruptcy twice in two years. These closures, driven by financial pressures and competition from online retailers like Amazon, are creating pharmacy deserts, leaving millions scrambling for timely access to critical medications.
The impact on local residents is profound. For many, especially the elderly or those with chronic conditions, a nearby pharmacy is a lifeline. Imagine a diabetic needing insulin or a heart patient requiring blood pressure meds—waiting days for an online delivery from Amazon Pharmacy or Capsule isn’t an option. CVS’s strategy to “right-size” its footprint, focusing on high-demand areas, means rural and underserved neighborhoods are hit hardest. States like Alabama, New York, Maryland, and Missouri are seeing the most closures, and Rite Aid’s retreat from entire regions, like the Midwest, compounds the crisis. A Reddit user’s plea—“Where will 540 pharmacists and 810 technicians go?”—highlights the ripple effect on jobs and community stability.
The rise of online pharmacies, while convenient for some, doesn’t fill the gap. Amazon’s 2020 entry into the market and plans for 20 new pharmacies in 2025 prioritize digital-first delivery, but not everyone has reliable internet or the means to navigate these platforms. Brick-and-mortar stores offer immediate access, in-person consultations, and trust built over years—things a website can’t replicate. As one Redditor noted, “Luckily I don’t depend only on CVS,” but for many, there’s no backup. CVS’s acquisition of 625 Rite Aid prescription files may ease some transitions, but it’s a bandage on a gaping wound.
This “retail apocalypse,” with 7,300 store closures in 2024, reflects deeper issues: slumping sales, opioid lawsuit debts, and shoplifting. Yet, the human cost is clear—pharmacy deserts endanger lives. While CVS insists 85% of Americans will still live within 10 miles of a store, that’s cold comfort for those left stranded, proving that convenience and competition can’t always replace a corner drugstore.
BetterHelp pays me (~$1) if you click the ad below. I reviewed their website and believe it may offer value for you or someone you love who seeks support. BetterHelp claims over 5.6 million people have used their service. Visiting the site is free, with no obligation to buy. Your clicks help keep DML Health to remain free.
Feeling Off Lately? Try One Week of Therapy, Free
Life can be overwhelming, but getting support shouldn’t be. This May for Mental Health Awareness Month, BetterHelp is offering one week of therapy completely free, so you can experience what real support feels like—no cost, no pressure.
You’ll be matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 hours, and connect on your schedule—by phone, video, or chat. With 35,000+ professionals, there’s someone for you. 94% of BetterHelp users report feeling better after starting therapy, and now you can try it yourself, risk-free.