HOPE — CVS Pharmacy is transferring the records at Hope Wellness Pharmacy to its store in Columbus.
“CVS Pharmacy has entered into an agreement to acquire the retail prescription records of Panacea Pharmacy, located in Bloomington, IN; and Hope Wellness Pharmacy, located in Hope, IN,” wrote CVS Manager of Retail Communications Matt Blanchette.
The acquired prescription records of Hope Wellness Pharmacy will be transferred Monday “securely and confidentially” to the CVS store at 1865 N. National Road in Columbus, Blanchette stated. Copies are also being sent to a CVS location in Hanover, Indiana — located 53 miles from Hope.
“We are working to ensure the transition will be seamless for patients, and that their access to pharmacy care is not interrupted,” Blanchette said.
The loss of the Hope Wellness pharmacy means the end of free delivery service to the low-income Hope residents who had requested and needed it, Hope officials said.
Community Center of Hope Executive Director Chelsea Warriner, whose organization operates a food pantry, is familiar with the needs of many of the low-income residents who depended on a pharmacy in Hope.
“I would say that at least 60% of our clients are within that population,” Warriner said. “It’s disappointing that they will have to drive to Columbus now for their prescriptions. It’s also sad to see Hope Wellness leave town with such short notice.”
The median family income in Hope is $54,131, compared to $74,128 in Columbus, according to the latest data from City-Data.com.
Census figures indicate 13.1% of Hope residents have incomes below the poverty rate. That includes 18.2% of disabled males and 16.6% of disabled females.
Before Hope Wellness opened in early 2017, town council members stated that a number of healthy and younger residents of Hope have trouble finding transportation to larger communities with pharmacies.
“I can still see that being an issue,” Warriner said of the closing of the pharmacy.
But one of the saddest things is just watching another of her town’s businesses shut its doors for good, Warriner said.
