CVS Health has opened the first of nearly 20 pharmacy-only, “apothecary-style” CVS Pharmacy locations it plans to open this year. Located in Chicago’s West End neighborhood, the new concept aims to help bridge gaps in care and make it easier for community members to access medications, immunizations and other health care services, according to the company.
With footprints averaging around 3,000 sq. ft., the pharmacy-only sites will help ensure patients have access to prescription medications and the advice and counsel of a CVS pharmacist. Each site will feature a full-service pharmacy with a customized selection of over-the-counter products available for purchase.
Pharmacy-only locations are planned for several other communities in 2026, including Houston; Roxbury, Mass.; Detroit; and Brooklyn, New York. The company also plans to open more than 40 new CVS Pharmacy locations this year, including traditional stores and pharmacies in Target.
The company opened its first pharmacy-only location late last year in Birmingham, Ala.
“Pharmacists are among the most accessible and most trusted health care providers,” said Len Shankman, executive VP and president of pharmacy and consumer wellness, CVS Health. “We know how important it is for patients to be able to speak one-on-one with their pharmacist, have their questions answered and seek medication advice when needed. Our new, pharmacy-only locations allow our pharmacy teams to continue to build relationships with patients – their friends and neighbors – and provide on the ground pharmacy care in communities that need us.”
CVS says it has worked to “strategically realign” its retail footprint over the last few years, with the new pharmacy-only sites helping the company better support its patients while ensuring its footprint is the right size and scale.
“We believe health care is best delivered locally, in the community by trusted, caring and tech-enabled colleagues and our customers and patients want to shop and engage in the way that’s most convenient for their busy lives,” added Shankman. “Whether in-person, online, or a combination of the two, our community pharmacies are delivering best-in-class service through consistent, connected, personalized experiences – meeting consumers where, when and how they need us.”
As of Dec. 31, 2025, CVS Health operated approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations.
