Save Mart, which has two locations in Carson City, is closing its pharmacies in Northern Nevada and is transferring pharmacy customers to Walgreens, according to a statement by the California-based company.
“The Save Mart Companies is moving its pharmacy services at Save Mart and Lucky stores to Walgreens,” said Victoria Castro, the company’s senior manager of public relations and government affairs. “Our Save Mart and Lucky Pharmacy staff will work closely with their patients to make this transition of services as convenient and seamless as possible.”
The company runs seven Save Mart stores in Nevada, according to its website. The change could mean job losses, too.
“We value our pharmacy staff and the service they have provided to our patients,” Castro said. “Walgreens expressed great interest in hiring and has the intention to hire as many of our pharmacy associates as possible, which will enable our patients to continue being served by our associates.”
Kris Lathan, communications relations for Walgreen Co., couldn’t confirm if employees affected by the transfer are being hired at Walgreens but said they have the opportunity to apply.
“Save Mart pharmacists and pharmacy staff will have an opportunity to apply for any available positions at Walgreens,” Lathan said in an email.
Customers of the closed pharmacies don’t have to do anything, Lathan emphasized.
“Prescription file transfers start this month and complete by September,” Lathan said. “Patients do not need to take any action. Their pharmacy files will automatically transfer to the nearest Walgreens. They will receive a letter in the mail with more details on their prescriptions and new services available to them as Walgreens customers.”
The Save Mart Companies employ more than 14,000 people and operate Lucky California and FoodMaxx stores as well, according to the website. The parent company of the store chain is Kingswood Capital Management, LP, a private equity firm that bought the store chain in March of this year. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to a statement from the firm.
