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Rite Aid to close all Michigan stores, transfer prescriptions to Walgreens, workers say
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Rite Aid files for bankruptcy amid thousands of opioid lawsuits
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy as it faces billions of dollars in debt and thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.
Straight Arrow News
Rite Aid is planning to shut down all of its Michigan stores and transfer prescriptions to Walgreens, according to several workers at the pharmacy chain.
Calls and emails from the Free Press to Rite Aid corporate representatives were not returned; nor were calls and emails to corporate representatives from Walgreens.
The closings are to take place in waves over the summer, starting as early as July 1, said the workers who were not authorized to discuss the company’s plans.
Since filing for bankruptcy in October 2023, Rite Aid has been closing stores across the country and in Michigan.
Rite Aid has more than 180 stores in Michigan.
Earlier this week, the Free Press reported filings in bankruptcy court revealed Rite Aid would close 12 additional Michigan locations and 15 in Ohio.
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But Rite Aid pharmacy workers have told customers and the Free Press that all Michigan stores are to close. Prescriptions will be automatically forwarded to Walgreens stores unless customers make other arrangements.
Letters outlining the procedure for prescriptions will be sent to customers at a later date.
The Free Press contacted Rite Aid stores across the state for information on the closings. Workers said they learned about the pending closures earlier this week.
Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October in the wake of declining sales, mounting debt and lawsuits accusing it ― and other pharmacies ― of illegally filling perscriptions that have contributed to a nationwide opioid epidemic.
Free Press assistant editor Holly Griffin and USA Today contributed to this report.