Pharmacists and association urge board guidance as Rite Aid closures displace patients

Public commenters and the board discussed pharmacy access problems stemming from mass Rite Aid closures, which a speaker said affected 347 stores and has forced other pharmacies to absorb displaced patients.

Sean Kim of the California Pharmacists Association told the board that closures are causing disruptions in access to chronic medications, vaccines and limited-distribution drugs and asked the board to issue guidance supporting pharmacies that take on extra patients. "These closures are not just business events, but also public-health disruption," Kim said during public comment.

Board members asked staff to provide a formal update at the next meeting or in the executive officer report. President Sung Oh and other members praised staff work so far and said DCA and board staff have put resources and guidance on the board website. The executive officer report was scheduled to include further coverage the following day.

Members discussed possible topics for board consideration, including temporary flexibilities around inventory, emergency dispensing and how to handle increased annual prescription volumes. Board members noted limitations on the board's authority over wholesaler inventory and said the agency could focus on education and resources for affected pharmacies rather than direct inventory controls.

The board did not take formal regulatory action at the meeting but agreed to place the issue on an upcoming agenda for further discussion. Board staff said they will continue to maintain and update online resources for pharmacies absorbing displaced patients.