CVS pharmacists can now prescribe birth control in Massachusetts – it’s all part of CVS’ plan to take over primary care as Amazon prepares to put CVS out of business

WOONSOCKET, RI ­­­_­ — CVS Pharmacy has announced the launch of hormonal contraceptive prescribing services across all its Massachusetts locations. As of September 12, 2024, patients can visit any CVS Pharmacy in the state for a $39 consultation with a pharmacist who can prescribe birth control if they meet “the eligibility criteria.”

“Pharmacists are trusted and accessible health care providers who do much more than fill prescriptions,” Jinali Desai, Vice President of Pharmacy Health Services for CVS Health, said in a press release. The service aims to address contraceptive deserts, where access to birth control is limited, and is part of a broader effort by CVS to position its pharmacies as accessible healthcare hubs (i.e. take over primary care services throughout the country).

Pharmacists were authorized to prescribe hormonal contraceptives by a provision of the Massachusetts 2024 State Budget, which was signed in August 2024, and co-sponsored by State Senator Michael Moore and State Representatives Christine Barber and Lindsay Sabadosa.

“Hormonal birth control is one of the safest and most effective ways to prevent unplanned pregnancy and support family planning, but many women find this critical medication difficult to obtain here in Massachusetts” said Senator Michael Moore of Millbury. “Allowing local pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives when appropriate is something 27 states and D.C. already allow in some form – it’s about time the Commonwealth joins them. I am so grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature for getting this provision signed into law, for our partners at pharmacies across Massachusetts, and the countless organizations and advocates that have tirelessly worked to bring awareness to this issue. We are taking a big step toward lowering barriers that prevent women from getting the birth control they need and addressing disparities in contraceptive access for those in historically underserved areas.”

CVS’s Broader Ambitions in Healthcare and the Rising Challenge from Amazon

CVS Health’s new contraceptive prescribing service in Massachusetts is part of a broader strategy to transform its pharmacies into comprehensive healthcare centers. By integrating primary care services, such as walk-in clinics and advanced care options, CVS aims to become a central player in the healthcare industry, moving towards a vertically integrated model similar to UnitedHealth. This approach includes providing a wide range of healthcare services directly within its retail locations, positioning CVS as a potential one-stop shop for healthcare needs.

However, CVS faces significant competition from Amazon, which is rapidly expanding its healthcare offerings. Amazon Pharmacy allows customers to upload prescriptions online, manage medications, and have them delivered directly to their homes, making medication management more convenient and accessible​. Additionally, Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical – which combines in-person primary care services with virtual healthcare services – could position the e-commerce goliath at the center of the healthcare industry as well.

Challenges in Primary Care, Especially for Women

The healthcare system presents notable challenges, particularly for women, who often experience significant delays in receiving diagnoses compared to men. A study published in 2019, titled “Population-wide analysis of differences in disease progression patterns in men and women,” published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, revealed that women are diagnosed, on average, four years later than men across a wide range of 770 diseases. Specifically, the study found that women are diagnosed 2.5 years later than men for cancer and 4.5 years later for metabolic diseases like diabetes. These delays can result in worsened outcomes and prolonged suffering, highlighting the need for diagnostic practices that better account for sex differences in symptoms and disease presentation​.

Compounding the prolonged suffering women experience as a result of the biases in clinical settings that contribute to delayed diagnoses is the fact that female patients are less likely to be prescribed pain medication than male patients and – on average – women are required to wait longer than men in the ER (emergency departments of hospitals).

AI-based tools like ChatGPT have demonstrated potential for providing more empathetic and patient-centered communication than some doctors, particularly in scenarios where emotional support and clear communication are critical​. Perhaps integrating ChatGPT further into the healthcare sector, along with ongoing efforts from companies like Amazon and CVS, could help address this disparity.

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