Melton cites need to study pharmacy deserts; 5 NWI stores closed recently – Chicago Tribune

As pharmacy chains shut shops to reshape enterprise plans, a state lawmaker from Gary vowed to writer a invoice that creates a process drive to review pharmacy deserts in Indiana.

If the invoice turns into regulation subsequent 12 months, state Sen. Eddie Melton stated the findings and proposals of the consultants on the duty drive could be forwarded to the Normal Meeting inside a 12 months.

Melton provided an identical invoice prior to now legislative session, however it didn’t transfer ahead within the Republican-dominated legislature. He pointed to a examine that discovered 60% of Indiana neighborhoods qualify as pharmacy desserts.

“Our state is failing our most susceptible residents. These with out entry to a automobile or public transportation, who’ve disabilities and diseases, and who don’t have the monetary or social assist to handle their lack of entry are those that undergo probably the most in pharmacy deserts.”

Just lately, CVS Well being closed 5 pharmacies in Northwest Indiana and is shifting its enterprise technique based mostly on adjustments in inhabitants, shopper shopping for patterns and future well being wants.

Final 12 months, CVS introduced plans to shut 900 shops nationwide over three years to deal with new retailer codecs devoted to main care providers in its walk-in clinics and it plans to supply enhanced “HealthHUB” places with services and products for on a regular basis well being and wellness wants.

An organization spokesman stated about 100 shops of the projected 300 has closed this 12 months up to now.

Among the many current native closings are CVS shops at 3400 N. Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso; 1301 119th St. in Whiting; 1195 Ridge Highway in Griffith, 2106 Broadway in East Chicago and 710 Franklin St., Michigan Metropolis.

In 2017, Walgreens closed 75 shops together with a pharmacy in Gary. Since 2015, the pharmacy chain targeted on closing about 200 shops nationwide to save lots of about $1 billion in prices.

In the meantime in 2019, CVS closed a retailer within the Village Buying Heart. Each Walgreens and CVS have one retailer every in Gary.

Walgreens has a retailer at 2500 Grant St. and CVS has a retailer at 1350 Broadway.

“The pharmacy desert difficulty will solely be exacerbated, particularly in Northwest Indiana, the place CVS has already closed 12 of its places since 2017 and a collection of Walgreen pharmacy closures has left solely 4 in the whole area,” Melton stated.

A CVS spokesman stated there are 30 CVS Pharmacy places throughout Northwest Indiana, together with six 24-hour pharmacies and 5 HealthHub websites that supply expanded well being and wellness providers.

CVS stated sustaining entry to pharmacy providers, particularly in susceptible communities, is a vital issue it weighs when making retailer closure selections.

A CVS assertion stated different components embody native market dynamics, inhabitants shifts, a group’s retailer density and making certain there are different geographic entry factors to fulfill group wants.

Carole Carlson is a contract reporter for the Put up-Tribune.