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California pharmacists urge board guidance after Rite Aid announces 347 store closures
Summary
Pharmacy leaders told the California State Board of Pharmacy that mass Rite Aid closures are disrupting patient access; the board directed staff to brief members and consider a formal agenda item for follow-up.
Pharmacy representatives told the California State Board of Pharmacy on June 20 that the announced closure of hundreds of Rite Aid pharmacies is creating “public health disruption” and straining local pharmacies.
The issue surfaced during public comment when Sean Kim, Government Affairs Director for the California Pharmacists Association, said, “The numbers are 347 pharmacy stores. These closures are not just business events, but also the public health disruption.” Kim urged the board to issue guidance supporting pharmacies that take on displaced patients.
Board members and staff described steps already under way. Trevor Chandler, public member, asked for a formal update at the next board meeting: “Would it be possible to make at least for the next meeting… an agenda item for the next meeting just to get an update on specifics, and action items that we as a board can take to help both the pharmacists and consumers that are impacted?” Executive Officer Anne (last name not specified in transcript), responding for staff, said the matter “will be covered as part of the EO report tomorrow.”
Kim and others described immediate problems pharmacies face: increased dispensing volume, gaps in filling high-cost or limited-distribution drugs, and pressure on inventory and staffing. Kim said pharmacies absorbing displaced patients need “flexibilities around inventory, emergency dispensing and recognition of increased dispensing volumes.” He also said some communities now lack any local pharmacy able to fill critical prescriptions.
Board members discussed possible responses and information needs. Nicole Tibo, licensing member, asked the board to consider how proposed state legislation on extended prescriptions (examples discussed by members included 12‑month supply policies) would interact with the closures if such bills advance. New board member Claudia Mercado asked staff whether the board has insight into product inventory and wholesaler quotas; Anne and other board members said inventory decisions are largely business and wholesaler matters but that the board can provide education and resources.
Staff referenced resources and a web page with guidance and links compiled for impacted pharmacists; Anne and staff said they have been maintaining and updating posted resources and working with the Department of Health Care Services. The board did not adopt a formal regulatory action on June 20 but members agreed to place the subject on a future agenda and for staff to provide an update in the EO report.
Next steps include the Executive Officer’s report to the board (scheduled the following day) and an agenda item at a future meeting to consider specific board actions or guidance for pharmacies taking on displaced patients. The board also indicated staff will continue to update publicly accessible resources for pharmacists and the public.
