Sen. Ed Markey joined public officials and community leaders in January to speak out against the closing of Walgreens pharmacies in communities of color. Photo: Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe via Getty Images
Walgreens' plans to pare back what it calls a "significant portion" of its 8,600 locations will likely worsen the pharmacy shortage in underprivileged communities already struggling with access to care.
Why it matters: Instead of transforming how health care is delivered, retailers' retrenchment from primary care could exacerbate health disparities and bodes ill for poor patients who already are less likely to refill prescriptions.
Catch up quick: During a gloomy earnings call last week, Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth acknowledged concern about growing pharmacy deserts, noting that his chain is the last company standing in a lot of places.
The closings come on top of Walgreens' decision to scale back its stake in primary care company VillageMD and close 160 clinics across the country and another round of U.S. store closings last year.
Between the lines: The rollbacks have sparked protests over the effects on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
Massachusetts Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley grilled Wentworth about it earlier this year.
Wentworth said the chain's goal is "not simply to be the last one to leave," adding that the company plans to work with state Medicaid programs and local law enforcement to continue to provide care.
