CVS says all 23 of its Arkansas pharmacies remain open, but a new state law could force business model changes by 2026.
At a Glance
- CVS confirms all 23 Arkansas pharmacies remain open with no immediate closure plans
- Arkansas’ Act 624 bans PBMs from owning pharmacies, threatening CVS’s vertical integration
- CVS plans to close 271 U.S. stores in 2025 under a nationwide restructuring plan
- Company currently serves more than 340,000 customers in Arkansas
- Despite closures, CVS will open 30 new pharmacy locations in 2025
Arkansas Pharmacies Remain Open Despite New Law
CVS Health has assured customers that all of its 23 pharmacy locations in Arkansas will continue operations as normal, countering widespread rumors of mass closures. In a statement, company spokesperson Amy Thibault said that no decisions have been made regarding store closures in the state, despite regulatory uncertainty created by new legislation. According to Newsweek, the company currently serves over 340,000 customers in Arkansas and remains committed to maintaining pharmacy access.
A CVS spokesperson emphasized, “Store closure decisions are based on several factors… We’re closing locations strategically to better meet consumers’ health, wellness, and pharmacy care needs—not in reaction to industry pressures” (Newsweek).
Arkansas Law Creates Uncertainty
The cause of concern is Act 624, signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, which prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in the state. Since CVS owns both the PBM CVS Caremark and CVS Pharmacy retail locations, the law directly challenges its vertically integrated business model. Full compliance is required by 2026.
Supporters—including the Arkansas Pharmacists Association—argue the law promotes competition and protects consumers from price manipulation. Critics, including CVS, say it will disrupt care and increase prescription costs across the state.
National Restructuring Plan Continues
The Arkansas debate unfolds amid CVS’s broader national restructuring. The company will shutter 271 retail locations in 2025, following nearly 900 closures between 2022 and 2024. The reduction affects about 3% of its U.S. footprint, with Newsweek reporting that it’s part of an “enterprise-wide restructuring plan intended to streamline and simplify the organization.”
Despite the closures, CVS notes that 85% of Americans will remain within 10 miles of a location. It also plans to open 30 new stores—many inside Target locations—highlighting a strategic pivot rather than a full retreat from retail pharmacy operations.
Impact on Healthcare Access
CVS warns that separating PBM and pharmacy operations in Arkansas could fragment care, particularly for rural and underserved populations. The company argues the law may reduce access and drive up drug prices. However, supporters say it addresses anti-competitive practices by removing conflicts of interest between prescription pricing and retail fulfillment.
For now, CVS insists its Arkansas customers can expect no change. But with legal compliance looming in 2026, the company is reviewing its options. This legal and policy clash underscores deeper national tensions over healthcare regulation, corporate consolidation, and patient access. As both sides dig in, the future of Arkansas pharmacy access—and CVS’s role in it—remains uncertain.
