Clinic and pharmacy to permanently close doors

By Ginna Young

No one ever wants to see a business stop operations – especially an essential one, such as healthcare. But, March has not been kind to two Cadott businesses, both dealing with the health needs of the community.

The first to permanently close its doors, is the Marshfield Clinic Cadott Center.

“This was a difficult decision, but over the years, there has been a steady decrease in patient utilization in Cadott, with more and more Cadott area patients choosing to get their care in our Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie and Cornell clinics,” said spokesperson Matthew Schneider. “Compounding the issue, healthcare systems across the U.S., particularly in rural areas, are dealing with soaring costs to provide medical services and we are not immune to these challenges.”

The clinic’s last day of operation is Friday, May 19, after which, patients who are affected, will be helped to transition their care to other Marshfield Clinic Health System primary care options, within a 15 to 30-minute drive from Cadott, or the location of their choosing.

“We look forward to continuing to serve affected patients in our existing facilities and are committed to helping with their transition,” said Schneider.

As for the Cadott Miller Pharmacy, which has been an integral part of the village’s Main Street for many, many years, they will turn the key for the final time Friday, March 31. Prescriptions will be transferred to The Medicine Shoppe in Chippewa Falls, after the closing date of the pharmacy, so people can still pick up their needed medications.

However, if they are unable to make the trek to Chippewa Falls, they will be covered.

“Medicine Shoppe is offering free mailing and delivery,” said a pharmacy representative.

A few years ago, Miller Pharmacy fell under allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), by dispensing controlled substances outside the usual course of professional pharmacy practice, among other CSA violations. A settlement was later reached with the Drug Enforcement Administration – Wisconsin (DEA).

The pharmacy voluntarily surrendered its DEA registration in 2020, and, as a result, were unable to dispense controlled substances, which led to its ultimate closure.

“That was kind of the main driver of it,” said the pharmacy representative.