UTAH, July 9, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Intermountain Healthcare will close 25 retail pharmacies and has entered into an agreement to transfer prescriptions and inventory to CVS Pharmacy in Utah in August of this year.
“The closures will affect Intermountain retail pharmacies located in Utah with low usage by area residents,” said a news release from Intermountain Healthcare. “These pharmacies are different than hospital pharmacies that serve patients receiving care in a hospital. Inpatient pharmacies are not affected. Intermountain will continue to offer medication management services and medication assistance and financial support services.”
Intermountain will continue to operate home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and the retail pharmacy at Primary Children’s Hospital.
“CVS Pharmacy is working closely with Intermountain to ensure the transition is seamless for patients and that their access to pharmacy care is not interrupted,” the news release said. “Pharmacy files of each location will be securely and confidentially transferred to conveniently located retail pharmacy locations. CVS Pharmacy will work with all new patients to ensure that they can continue to access their medications easily and without disruption.” Patients will receive a letter explaining the pharmacy closures, prescription-transfer process, timeline, and information about who to contact with their questions.
“Every effort will be made to ensure patients and employees are well cared for during this transition,” said Nannette Berensen, vice president and COO of Intermountain Shared Clinical Services. “We’ve seen changes in consumer preference in obtaining medications in retail pharmacies that offer added convenience and expanded shopping options.”
Employees will have the option to transition to other roles within Intermountain and be considered for positions at local CVS Pharmacy locations.
CVS Pharmacy is part of CVS Health, the news release added.
“CVS Pharmacy knows that these locations have been providing trusted pharmacy care for the Utah community for years and we are excited to continue that tradition,” said David Royster, regional director, CVS Pharmacy. “We are looking forward to introducing our industry-leading products and services to these new patients and are committed to ensuring that their pharmacy needs are not only met but exceeded.”
