US pharmacy chain Rite Aid closes final stores

October 6, 2025

Rite Aid, a once-prominent US pharmacy chain founded in 1962 that operated up to 5,000 stores at its peak, has announced the closure of all its remaining locations. The company, which had fewer than 100 stores left by Friday, filed for bankruptcy twice (October 2023 and May 2025) amid financial struggles and legal challenges. Rite Aid faced significant legal issues related to the opioid epidemic, paying up to $30 million in 2022 to settle lawsuits and later agreeing to settle a Justice Department complaint regarding unlawful opioid prescriptions.

Who is affected

Rite Aid customers who need to transfer their pharmacy records
Residents in areas where Rite Aid was the primary pharmacy service
People living in potential "pharmacy deserts" who must now travel farther to get prescriptions filled
Millions of Americans without nearby pharmacy access

What action is being taken

Rite Aid is closing all its remaining stores
The company's website has been replaced with a closure announcement
Rite Aid is providing a link for customers to request their pharmacy records
Other pharmacy chains (CVS and Walgreens) are also currently closing locations across the country

Why it matters

The closure eliminates a once-major pharmacy chain that operated for over six decades
It contributes to the growing problem of "pharmacy deserts" in the United States
The closure reflects broader challenges in the retail pharmacy sector, as evidenced by CVS and Walgreens also reducing their store counts
It demonstrates the long-term consequences of the opioid epidemic on pharmacy businesses involved in distribution

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC