LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Rite Aid’s decision to close 165 of its 185 Michigan stores comes in the wake of its bankruptcy declaration last year and ongoing legal battles. The closures, which may result in Rite Aid exiting Michigan entirely, will likely impact customers and the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

In preparation for the shutdown, Rite Aid has begun transferring prescriptions to Walgreens, urging customers to act swiftly to ensure they continue to receive their medications without disruption, according to MLive. 

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“Do it sooner rather than later, because there is a massive number of prescription transfers that are occurring in pharmacies right now,” Eric Roath of the Michigan Pharmacists Association told MLive.

Roath highlighted the urgency, advising residents to confirm where their prescriptions are being transferred. He said that if the new location is not convenient, customers can choose a different pharmacy and request Rite Aid to transfer their prescriptions accordingly. 

With the influx of transfers, however, other pharmacies are experiencing increased workloads, leading to longer wait times and added stress for staff. Additionally, the closures are expected to exacerbate “pharmacy deserts”—areas with limited access to pharmacies—as reported by MLive. 

Research from the University of Southern California indicates that a significant number of U.S. neighborhoods already face this issue, with 41 communities in Michigan identified as living more than 10 miles from a pharmacy. The exit of Rite Aid is expected to push more areas into this category, particularly impacting the elderly and those with chronic health conditions who rely on regular access to medications.

Economic repercussions are also a major concern. 

John Cakmakci, president of UFCW 951, informed MLive that although severance packages have been negotiated for the 325 Rite Aid employees represented by the union, the overall economic impact will be substantial. The shutdown of 165 stores means job losses and reduced economic engagement in local communities, which may already be struggling.

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Even though Rite Aid has not specified a timeline for the closures, Cakmakci said that he anticipates all stores in his jurisdiction will be shut down by mid-September.

These Rite Aid shutdowns follow the company’s bankruptcy declaration in October 2023 amidst declining sales and numerous opioid-related lawsuits. In 2022, Rite Aid settled for $30 million over accusations of contributing to the opioid crisis. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint in 2023 alleging that Rite Aid filled hundreds of thousands of unlawful prescriptions between 2014 and 2019.