CVS extends reach to Puerto Rico

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS/pharmacy has entered Puerto Rico with its first two locations slated to officially open Feb. 15. The company plans to open nine stores on the island in 2010.

"We are pleaded to introduce the CVS/pharmacy brand to the growing Puerto Rico market," stated Larry Merlo, president of CVS/pharmacy. "CVS is committed to provided high quality pharmacy care and offering convenient products and services at a great value to the Puerto Rican community."

The openings will create about 400 new jobs in Puerto Rico this year. In addition to the new stores opening this month in San Juan and Bayamon, more locations are expected to open this year in Arecibo, Bayamon (two additional stores), Dorado, Fajardo, Vega Alta and Vega Baja.

As part of its entry into Puerto Rico, CVS/pharmacy announced a donation of $10,000 to Instituto Psicopedagogico de PR, a Bayamon-based agency that provides specialized health, nutrition, education and essential care to adults and children in Puerto Rico with severe mental disabilties to improve their quality of life.