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in Inland Empire
The impending bankruptcy of Rite Aid, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, will likely result in the closing of a number of pharmacies in the Inland Empire. Given the already limited availability of pharmacies in the area, the closures could have a major impact on the communities they serve.
The closures, while unfortunate, are not unexpected given the financial difficulties the chain has faced in recent years due to competition from larger retailers such as Walgreens and CVS. In 2017, Rite Aid was forced to close more than 600 of its stores nationwide as part of a merger agreement with Walgreens.
The Inland Empire is particularly vulnerable to store closures because of its relatively large population and lack of public transportation options. For many in the region, local pharmacies are an important source of affordable medication and other health-related products, and their imminent disappearance could create a major gap in the health care safety net.
The company is currently looking for buyers for many of its remaining stores, and local governments may be able to step in to help mitigate the closures. If communities are able to take ownership of the pharmacies, it could help to ensure that vital access to medication and health services is not lost. In the meantime, local health care providers and officials should work to identify potential solutions to ensure that patients are able to receive the care they need.