Having spent the better part of the past 20 years squeezing out most independent shops, big chain pharmacies are now in major decline. With millions of Americans relying on these pharmacies on a daily basis, where are they left to turn? And how did these big chains get here?

When Barron’s reached out to ask if I was interested in doing this assignment, the task was to avoid faces, capture the crowds, and maybe photograph from the street. I said YES, we will figure it out!!! From there, I visited ~70 Walgreens/Duane Reade, 16 CVS, 2 Rite Aids, and clocked about 100k steps while sometimes revisiting the same locations multiple times.

Chain pharmacies are actually so strange when you really take time to look at them. They’re all the “same,” but also not at all. With varied surveillance techniques like mirrored ceilings, hidden cameras, beefed up security etc, I’ve never noticed just how much I’m being watched. It was interesting to look at it all; I left with many takeaways, and I hope you do too.

THANK YOU Alis Atwell and Sarina Finkelstein for giving me the opportunity to do it!!!! As well as Josh Nathan-Kazis for a great piece!

Barron’s - Walgreens, CVS, and Other Pharmacy Chains Are in a World of Hurt. What’s to Blame?