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Cleveland Clinic celebrated the opening of a new community pharmacy at South Pointe Hospital yesterday, joined by elected officials and community partners.
The pharmacy will open for patients and community members on Sept. 8. Located on the first floor of South Pointe Medical Office Building B at 20050 Harvard Road, the community pharmacy will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Pharmacists play a frontline role in managing chronic conditions, preventing medication-related complications, and supporting patients in their health journeys,” said Lindsey Amerine, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic. “This location at South Pointe Hospital helps bridge a gap in care in this region. We’re proud to bring these services closer to home for Warrensville Heights and surrounding communities.”
The opening comes at a time when many communities across the country face a growing trend of retail pharmacy closures. A 2024 study published in Health Affairs found that nearly one in three retail pharmacies in the U.S. shut down between 2010 and 2021. Ohio has been disproportionately affected, with 219 pharmacies closing in the past year alone—while only 51 new locations opened statewide, according to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
The impact is especially noticeable in Cuyahoga County’s eastern suburbs, which have seen a sharp decline in pharmacy access. Many areas are now classified as “pharmacy deserts,” creating challenges to obtaining medications, clinical support, and essential pharmacy services.
“The shortage of nearby pharmacies poses serious challenges for patients, impacting their ability to access medications, follow care plans, and manage chronic conditions,” said Margaret McKenzie, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of South Pointe Hospital. “This new pharmacy is a step to close that gap, reduce hospital readmissions and ensure our community has reliable access to the care and services they need to thrive.”
The pharmacy is part of Cleveland Clinic’s broader mission to create healthier communities by addressing social drivers of health. In 2024, South Pointe opened a community resource center dedicated to tackling issues such as food insecurity, digital access, employment, and medical care. The center includes offerings such as a food pantry, a computer lab, and career development resources.
Cleveland Clinic now operates 27 retail pharmacies as well as various specialty pharmacies and programs.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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