Rite Aid to Close Over 150 Stores as Part of Bankruptcy, Reducing Access to Pharmacies in Poorer Areas

Rite Aid is closing at least 154 stores as part of its bankruptcy process. More closures are expected.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday due to debt and sluggish sales.

Rite Aid is the 3rd largest U.S. drugstore chain, behind CVS and Walgreens.

Closures will hit hardest in PA, CA, and NY. Overall, it's a problem for poorer urban and rural areas.

Pharmacies are now key for more than prescriptions, like vaccines. Closures mean reduced access to health services.