About 250 employees at 25 Intermountain Healthcare pharmacies will be out of a job in August — although Intermountain officials say they’re working to find them new positions after the pharmacies close.
“The plan is to transition them to other jobs – this is not a layoff situation,” said Daron Crowley, Intermountain’s media relations director. “The intent is to do all we can to keep employees in equivalent jobs — some in a pharmacy, and others in different healthcare settings. They will also have the option to be considered for positions at local CVS Pharmacy locations.”
Intermountain announced it will close 25 of its 26 retail pharmacies because “They aren’t being used enough by the community to remain open,” said Crowley. The retail pharmacies lost $11 million in 2020 and $6 million in the first five months of 2021, he said.
Their inventory and prescriptions will be transferred to nearby CVS Pharmacies. Patients will receive a letter explaining the closures, prescription transfer process and contact information.
“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.
The change does not affect in-hospital pharmacies that serve patients or the home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy and retail pharmacy at Primary Children’s Hospital.
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