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Rite Aid Announces Store Closures in Pennsylvania

The closure of Rite Aid pharmacies leaves communities with limited access to health services.

News Summary

In a significant blow to Pennsylvania’s pharmacy services, Rite Aid has announced the closure of approximately 150 stores following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The closures will particularly impact rural areas, creating ‘pharmacy deserts’ and limiting access for residents reliant on regular medications. Local communities are expressing concern over the loss of essential services as Rite Aid plans to reduce its nationwide locations, leaving hundreds of vacant spaces in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is bracing for a significant decrease in pharmacy services as Rite Aid, a longstanding presence in the state, has announced a wave of store closures following its recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The company has already begun closing its locations, with a store in Duncannon, Perry County, holding a closing sale after shutting its doors on May 22.

The looming closures are expected to leave Pennsylvania with hundreds of vacant commercial spaces, as Rite Aid plans to close most of its over 1,200 stores nationwide. This reduction will be particularly impactful in Pennsylvania, where the company has operated for decades and currently has more than 300 stores.

So far, Rite Aid has confirmed approximately 150 store closures in Pennsylvania, and experts anticipate that all stores in the state may ultimately be affected. In Perry County, closures will include stores in Newport, Duncannon, and Shermans Dale, which could create “pharmacy deserts”—areas with limited or no access to pharmacy services. The closures will reduce the number of operating pharmacies in Perry County by half, severely limiting local residents’ access to essential medications.

The ramifications of these closures extend to approximately 1,100 corporate employees stationed in York County and Philadelphia, who are expected to face layoffs as Rite Aid restructures its operations. The recent bankruptcy is Rite Aid’s second Chapter 11 filing, a move aimed at negotiating agreements to sell its pharmacy assets. Major chains such as CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, and Giant Eagle are involved in negotiations, with CVS already confirmed to acquire prescription files for 625 Rite Aid pharmacies across 15 states, in addition to operating 64 stores located in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved these asset sale agreements, but the overall outlook for Pennsylvania’s Rite Aid stores remains grim. The impending closures have sparked widespread concern within local communities about losing crucial pharmacy services, particularly among seniors and those reliant on regular prescriptions. Residents are reportedly anxious about securing accessible pharmacy options as Rite Aid locations disappear.

As Rite Aid’s presence diminishes, neighboring pharmacies, such as Newport Pharmacy, are experiencing an uptick in inquiries from residents seeking alternatives. Similarly, Walgreens has announced plans to close around 1,200 stores over the next three years. CVS Health is also not immune to the trend, having closed 586 stores in the previous year, indicating a national decline in pharmacy services that affects both urban and rural populations.

The Journal of the American Medical Association highlights that around 18% of individuals in the U.S. live in pharmacy deserts. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 540,000 rural residents are situated at least five miles away from the nearest pharmacy, while 151,000 urban residents find themselves in a similar predicament.

The trend of pharmacy closures poses significant challenges for communities already facing difficulties in accessing vital health services, including medications and vaccinations. The ripple effects of Rite Aid’s store reductions could further strain the ability of residents to maintain their health and well-being, highlighting the urgent need for solutions as pharmacy access continues to decline across the country.