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Ward 7 Residents Protest Impending Closure of CVS Pharmacy

July 3, 2025

Ward 7 residents in Washington, D.C. are campaigning against the closure of a CVS pharmacy on Pennsylvania Avenue SE scheduled for July 9, which serves as a critical healthcare resource for over 40,000 residents across multiple neighborhoods. The closure would force many residents, especially those without cars, to travel nearly a mile to the next nearest pharmacy on Marion Barry Avenue SE, requiring multiple bus transfers for those reliant on public transportation. On July 2, residents held a protest at the location where speakers highlighted how the pharmacy's closure would exacerbate existing health inequities in a community already facing limited access to healthcare resources.

Who is affected

  • Over 40,000 residents of Ward 7 neighborhoods including Dupont Park, Fairfax Village, Fort Davis Park, Greenway, Hillcrest, Naylor Gardens, Penn Branch, and Randle Highlands
  • Elderly residents without transportation
  • Children with asthma, allergies, and eczema who need prescriptions
  • Residents who depend on public transportation
  • People with disabilities or health conditions who find traveling longer distances challenging
  • Community members who have relationships with the local pharmacists

What action is being taken

  • Residents are holding protests and rallies outside the CVS location
  • Community members have created a petition that has gathered over 1,400 signatures
  • Local Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are attempting to contact CVS corporate leadership
  • Civic leaders are coordinating efforts to save the pharmacy
  • Community members are threatening to boycott CVS throughout the District of Columbia
  • Ward 7 D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder's office is being engaged in the issue

Why it matters

  • The CVS is one of only a few pharmacy locations east of the Anacostia River
  • The pharmacy provides essential healthcare access in an area already experiencing health inequity
  • Without a nearby pharmacy, residents without cars would need to take multiple buses to fill prescriptions
  • The store offers prescription discounts and healthy food options unavailable at smaller pharmacies
  • The location is accessible and visible to the community, including those with limited mobility
  • The closure contradicts the 2023 Pennsylvania Avenue East Small Area Plan that aims to increase business and retail opportunities in the area

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer