CVS Health completes rollout of time delay safes in Florida

Rhea-AI Summary

CVS Health has successfully installed time delay safe technology in all 838 CVS Pharmacy locations across Florida, including those in Target stores. This initiative aims to reduce pharmacy robberies and the diversion of controlled substances, particularly opioids. The technology electronically delays access to these medications, enhancing safety for customers and employees. CVS has recorded a 50% drop in robberies at locations using this system since its initial implementation in 2015. In addition, CVS continues to support safe medication disposal, with over 3,700 units nationwide collecting more than five million pounds of unwanted medications. Educational programs have reached nearly two million students and parents on the dangers of medication misuse.

Positive

• Reduced pharmacy robberies by 50% at locations with time delay safes.
• Over 5 million pounds of unwanted medications collected through disposal units.
• Nearly two million individuals educated on medication misuse through CVS programs.

Negative

• None.

All 838 CVS Pharmacy® locations in the state using time delay technology for controlled substances to help reduce organized retail crime

Company also announces major milestones reached in safe medication disposal and medication safety education

WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to support law enforcement and build safer communities, CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced the installation of time delay safe technology in all 838 CVS Pharmacy locations throughout Florida, including those in Target stores.

The safes help prevent pharmacy robberies and the potential for associated diversion of controlled substance medications — including opioid medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone — by electronically delaying the time it takes for pharmacy employees to open the safe. In addition, the safes help improve the safety and well-being of CVS Pharmacy customers and employees.  

The company's rollout of time delay safe technology is in support of partnerships with local and state law enforcement and the retail community to fight back against escalating organized retail crime. 

"Supporting law enforcement efforts in their battle against organized retail crime remains a key focus for our company," said CVS Region Director Ricardo Lopez today during a news conference at a CVS Pharmacy in Miami-Dade County. "Criminal activities that organized retail crime rings fund are a clear danger to our communities, so it is important that retailers, law enforcement and political leaders work together to solve this problem."

"I am very proud of our private sector partner for thinking and implementing innovative ways to fight organized retail crime. Local, state, and federal law enforcement partners continuously collaborate with our retail industry to minimize the economic impact to all of our residents. We strive to encourage all of the members in the retail industry to join the fight against organized retail crime," said Director Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez, Miami-Dade Police Department.  

"We are proud to support CVS Health in its endeavor to make our retail pharmacies a safe place to shop and work. Time delay safes will not only work to combat the opioid epidemic and prevent criminal activity, but it will also save lives. Thank you for helping to safeguard your CVS Pharmacy stores to strengthen safety at retail pharmacies in Florida," said Scott Shalley, CEO of Florida Retail Federation. 

CVS Health first implemented time delay safe technology in 2015 in CVS Pharmacy locations across Indianapolis, a city experiencing a high volume of pharmacy robberies at the time. The company saw a 70 percent decline in pharmacy robberies in that area. Since then, there has been a 50 percent decline in robberies at CVS Pharmacy locations with the safes.  

The CVS Health time delay safe program is among many company initiatives to address and prevent prescription medication misuse and diversion. The company supports over 3,700 safe medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide. As of April 2023, these medication disposal units, along with those the company has donated to local law enforcement agencies, have collected more than five million pounds of unwanted or expired medications that might otherwise have been diverted, misused, or ended up in the water supply. The 216 safe medication disposal units located in Florida have collected more than 237,000 pounds of unwanted and expired medication.

CVS Health also announced that nearly two million students and parents have learned about the dangers of misusing medications through the company's free prescription drug abuse prevention education programs, Pharmacists Teach and Dose of Knowledge, including more than 85,000 Floridians.

Through Pharmacists Teach, CVS pharmacists work with schools in their communities to help educate children from kindergarten to grade 12 about the dangers of prescription medication misuse and abuse. To further amplify the program's impact, CVS Health partnered with Discovery Education to expand resources and access through Dose of Knowledge, a program which provides no-cost standards-aligned resources to empower educators and pharmacists to address substance misuse and educate students to make good decisions about their health. The program has resources for parents and students as well.

For downloadable time delay safe photos, please visit the Media Resource Center.

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

Media contact:
Shannon Dillon, CVS Health
346-291-7131
Shannon.Dillon@CVSHealth.com  

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SOURCE CVS Health

FAQ

What is CVS's new technology to prevent pharmacy robberies?

CVS has installed time delay safe technology in all its Florida locations to help prevent pharmacy robberies and the diversion of controlled substances.

How many CVS locations in Florida have the time delay safe technology?

All 838 CVS Pharmacy locations in Florida have implemented the time delay safe technology.

What impact has the time delay safe technology had on pharmacy robberies?

Since implementing time delay safes, CVS has seen a 50% decline in pharmacy robberies at these locations.

How many pounds of medications has CVS collected through its disposal program?

CVS has collected over 5 million pounds of unwanted medications through its safe disposal units nationwide.

What educational initiatives has CVS undertaken regarding medication misuse?

CVS's educational programs have reached nearly two million students and parents about the dangers of medication misuse.