HealthPartners to close retail pharmacies in early 2020

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — HealthPartners today announced plans to close its retail pharmacies in early 2020. The closure includes 30 retail pharmacies located within HealthPartners, Park Nicollet, Central Minnesota and Stillwater Medical Group clinics, as well as the organization’s owned mail-order pharmacy operations.

The organization’s Park Nicollet, Central Minnesota and Stillwater Medical Group retail clinic pharmacies will close Jan. 20. HealthPartners retail clinic pharmacy locations will close April 1.

HealthPartners will continue to operate its specialty, infusion and hospital pharmacies, as well as health plan pharmacy management and medication therapy management services. The organization’s health plan will continue to offer members a broad range of convenient pharmacy options within its network, including mail-order options. HealthPartners clinicians will continue to partner with patients to coordinate and manage medications, regardless of which pharmacy they choose.

“Our retail pharmacies have provided a convenient option for our patients for many years,” said Scott Schnuckle, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy & Business Development. “Consumer preferences and pharmacy economics have changed, however, to favor large-scale organizations able to support extended hours, drive-through pickup, and other conveniences we’re not able to offer. Like others preceding us in our market, we’ve made the difficult decision to exit our retail pharmacy operation.”

About 300 positions will be eliminated as a result of the closures, including about 100 pharmacists.

“We will be supporting our colleagues through the transition during the next several months,” said Schnuckle. “We’ll also be working closely with our patients ahead of this transition to ensure they will continue to have convenient access to the prescription medications they need.”

Patients with questions can call 866-716-0785 or visit healthpartners.com/hp/pharmacy/ for more information.