CVS to close Phoenix facility, attempt to re-allocate employees

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS Caremark plans to shutter its mail-order pharmacy operations in Phoenix at the end of the year.

“The decision to consolidate this operation into other existing operations was made after careful consideration and because of changing business demands and integration activities since the CVS and Caremark merger,” CVS spokesperson Mike DeAngelis told Drug Store News.

DeAngelis noted that, to date, the number of affected employees at the Phoenix facility is at least 100 fewer than the 423 indicated in The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act issued by the state in late October. He said the company is continuing its efforts to find positions for additional employees in other areas of the company, including other Caremark facilities and CVS/pharmacy retail stores.

“In instances where other job opportunities are not possible, employees will be eligible to receive a transition package to cover financial and health benefits, outplacement support and counseling,” said DeAngelis.

Published reports indicate that CVS Caremark will also shutter a similar-sized facility in Fort Worth, Texas. However, DeAngelis said that details on the Fort Worth facility were not readily available.

In March, CVS merged with pharmacy benefit manager Caremark, creating a $75 billion PBM powerhouse.