Walgreens begins closure of 4 sites in one state as officials warn of ‘health deserts’ with key rival also axing stores ...Middle East

ANOTHER round of pharmacy closures is hitting communities from today as officials raise concerns about access to basic health care.

Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, has faced mounting financial pressures and announced back in October 2024 that a series of store shutdowns would go ahead.

The move comes only months after the company entered acquisition discussions with private equity firm Sycamore Partners in March.

The $23.7 billion deal which is expected to close by the end of the fiscal year, has accelerated efforts to streamline operations and shutter any under performing locations.

Four Walgreens locations in Connecticut are scheduled to close their doors for good over the next week.

Beginning Sunday, May 18, the New Britain store at 1330 Stanley Street will shut first. The East Hartford location on Silver Lane will follow on Tuesday, May 20.

The New Milford store on Danbury Road will close on Wednesday, May 21.

Connecticut’s final Walgreens closure will take place on Thursday, May 22.

The East Haven store at 157 Main Street will cease operations at the end of the business day.

The chain’s decision is part of a broader trend in the retail pharmacy sector.

Increased competition from online retailers, changing customer behaviors, and rising operational costs have hugely contributed to the wave of pharmacy closures nationwide.

Walgreens isn’t the only brand scaling back.

Rival drugstore chain Rite Aid has also been forced to shutter several locations and filed for bankruptcy protection on May 5.

Recently, Rite Aid closed its Cheshire store on May 8 and its Danbury location on May 18.

It also has an upcoming closure in Naugatuck on May 19.

The U.S. Sun has compiled a full list of the Rite Aid closures taking place this month across seven states.

Walgreens shutdowns, combined with Rite Aid’s closures, have raised concerns with local healthcare officials

Angela Mattie, a professor of management and medical sciences at Quinnipiac University, warns the closures will create “health care deserts.”

This is particularly true for residents who can’t easily get around and are without reliable transportation.

“What’s happening here is you’re creating health care deserts,” she told Greenwich Time, referring to locations that have very little access to certain basics, turning them into ‘deserts’.

“Access to pharmacies is important because they improve health outcomes and help keep people out of critical care,” Mattie said.

Community leaders and healthcare advocates worry these gaps in access will disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, including elderly residents and those managing chronic illnesses.

As national chains continue to reduce physical locations as a growth strategy, the challenge of maintaining accessible healthcare resources will continue to grow.

Walgreen closures

These are the four Walgreens locations closing:

Walgreens locations closing:

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