A CVS pharmacist told HIV/AIDS service organization Calcutta House last week that he could not fill the agency’s monthly prescription for more than 11,000 dosages of HIV/AIDS medications, which are dispensed to the organization’s clients, because Calcutta owed the pharmacy $217 in back payments, prompting a protest Sept. 24 outside the CVS at Broad Street and Girard Avenue by Calcutta supporters. Demonstrators also criticized the pharmacy for, among other concerns, its policy of locking up condoms in urban areas. Calcutta executive director Matt Teter said the organization notified all of its nearly 100 vendors, including CVS, in July that its payments would be delayed because the state budget impasse had tied up nearly all of its federal, state and city funding, but CVS did not respond. Teter said CVS has reached out to Calcutta this week about this issue and “having conversations about how they can be a better community partner.” Photo: Scott Drake