CVS Health, Walgreens and Rite Aid are closing hundreds of pharmacies across the country, with several stores in Florida affected. Here’s what we know about the closures in Orlando, Tallahassee and across the state.
Three of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, CVS Health, Walgreens and Rite Aid, are closing hundreds of stores across the country, with Florida among the states feeling the impact.
The wave of closures comes amid rising operating costs, changing consumer purchasing patterns, industry consolidation, and changes in healthcare reimbursement models. While the companies say the move is strategic, the cuts have raised concerns about access to pharmacies in communities across Florida.
How many Florida pharmacies are affected?
Florida is one of the largest retail pharmacy markets in the country and is particularly susceptible to industry consolidation.
CVS Health Closing in Florida
CVS has confirmed the closure of more than 270 additional stores nationwide as part of a multi-year cost-cutting plan. The company will close approximately 900 stores nationwide between 2022 and 2024.
In Florida, confirmed and reported closures include the following locations:
Orlando Tallahassee Additional Select Communities Under Performance Review
CVS said the closures are based on “demographic changes, consumer purchasing patterns, store and pharmacy density, pharmacy care access, and local medical needs.”
The company is also facing regulatory scrutiny in states such as Tennessee over its ownership structure involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), adding to broader operational challenges.
Shrinking Rite Aid’s Florida Footprint
Rite Aid underwent bankruptcy reorganization and significantly reduced its domestic size. Approximately 500 stores nationwide have been affected by closures or asset sales.
In Florida, Rite Aid’s presence has virtually disappeared in most markets, with many of its former stores closed or acquired by CVS.
This reorganization represents a major change in Florida’s competitive pharmacy landscape.
Walgreens closings and job losses
Walgreens is taking a more targeted approach to store closures, but is still shrinking stores and cutting jobs nationwide.
After its $23.7 billion acquisition by Sycamore Partners, Walgreens streamlined its operations and closed some underperforming stores.
There are more than 800 Walgreens stores in Florida, one of the highest totals in the country. Although the company has not released a complete closure list specific to Florida, analysts say high-density markets like Florida are often closely evaluated during restructuring efforts.
Why are pharmacies closing?
Across the industry, several key factors are driving store closures.
Inflation and rising operating costs Declining reimbursement rates for pharmacies Labor shortages Increasing competition from mail-order and online pharmacies Store saturation in densely populated states like Florida
Retail pharmacies are also evolving into broader medical hubs offering clinics and preventive care services, a change that could reduce the need for duplicate stores in a given region.
What it means for Floridians
Neighborhood pharmacies serve as a primary healthcare touchpoint in many Florida communities, especially for seniors and rural residents.
Closure means:
Increased travel time to pick up prescriptions Increased wait times at remaining stores Reduced access to underserved areas
Florida’s aging population makes access to pharmacies especially important. As consolidation continues, health care access advocates are watching closely to see how closures will impact vulnerable communities.
conclusion
While CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid describe the closures as strategic realignments, the impact in Florida is real and ongoing.
Hundreds of stores have closed across the country, and Florida is one of the largest pharmacy markets in the country, with further adjustments likely to follow in the coming months.
FloridaDaily.com will continue to track confirmed closures and updates across the state.
