ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association issued the following statement Wednesday on behalf of CEO B. Douglas Hoey in response to reports on the destruction of small business local pharmacies:

Doug Hoey

“In recent days we have received reports from long-time members that their pharmacies were damaged and looted in the rioting that broke out during the peaceful protests. We have been following many similar reports around the country. These are all family-owned businesses that have been serving people in their communities for years, and sometimes generations, and have been on front lines of health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of those communities are underserved, where the local pharmacy is the only accessible health care provider.

“We understand the protests and agree with the goals. We and our members are appalled by the horrific injustice that took place in Minneapolis and in other communities throughout the country, and we pray for justice and healing. The destruction and robbery of local businesses advances neither. We implore local officials to do more to protect local businesses from the rioting. They provide opportunities, jobs, and services to people who needed them before the riots. They will need them more after.”