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NEW YORK — CVS Health and Walmart said they will be reducing pharmacy hours to address the ongoing pharmacist shortage, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
CVS plans to cut or shift operating hours at about two-thirds of its 9,000-strong U.S. network in March, while Walmart intends to close most of its nearly 4,600 stores two hours early at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. by March.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), the other major pharmacy retailer in the U.S., has previously said staffing shortages have led to cut operating hours at thousands of stores.
“By adjusting hours in select stores this spring, we ensure our pharmacy teams are available to serve patients when they’re most needed,” CVS said in a statement. The company added that customers inconvenienced by a closed pharmacy could seek services at an adjacent outlet.
The strategy gives Walmart to offer a better work-life balance to pharmacy staff and serve customers when they are most likely to visit the stores, a company spokeswoman said.
“This change is a direct result of feedback from our pharmacy associates and listening to our customers,” she added.
