topic Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid in Community Chat

Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Topaz Gem — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:36:39 GMT

Just heard that the Walgreens drugstore chain has bought out Rite Aid. We have both in our area; I wonder if they will be closing stores.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Moonchilde — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:52:27 GMT

Judging by our local Rite Aid stores and the Walgreens we have, this will be a huge improvement. Our Rite Aids are gross and Walgreens are nice & clean.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Bellabutterfly — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:09:53 GMT

Judging from my living area, there is 1 - Rite Aid and 4 - Walgreens within a 3 mile area. It is like every 4 blocks there is a Walgreens on the corner.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Shelbelle — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:27:24 GMT

We have both too, about a block from each other, both very overpriced. IMO

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

June222 — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:27:29 GMT

I never physically shop in drug stores...I only shop on line.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

sueinsf — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:35:55 GMT

Walgreens bought out Rite Aid here some time ago (only the city stores) but CVS has been springing up all over, so at least we have two competitive chains.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

GSPgirl — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:46:55 GMT

I had a feeling that would happen. In my town within 4 corners of one intersection, we have Walgreens, Rite Aide, two grocery store pharmacies and a CVS. That's 5 pharmacies. Walgreens is the newest and I had a feeling Rite aid would be the first to go, I wonder what they will do with that building now?

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

151949 — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:51:35 GMT

I am , unfortunately, stuck using Walgreens because it is the only chain that is both here in our small Florida town and up in our other small town where we spend the summers. I really do not particularly like them - never any extra services offered, esp. in the one up north. Never any effort to make anything easier when there is a glitch with a Rx. too many stories to tell here. Just one of the disadvantages of small town life I guess.

I feel for those who use Rite aid for their Rx - I predict they will have a rude awakening. when we no longer snowbird I will change to getting my Rx by mail. Before we retired I used a mail service and they were great. Much much much more willing to help you if there were any problems with a Rx and they NEVER half fill the Rx because they don't have enough to give you the full amount - a common occurance at our Walgreens in Pa. I have already had to go in 4 or 5 times until I get the full amount the Rx is written for - but they always charge up front for the entire co pay, even though they are only giving me 5 pills instead of 90.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Moonchilde — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:54:05 GMT

My main is CVS, and it's fine. We have more CVS than the rest of them. Our Rite-Aids give me the creeps - not nice at all - and I agree, overpriced. I like Walgreens (we have few) and will be happy to have more.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Scooby Doo — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:54:39 GMT

We have a Rite Aid about a block from Walgreens. It was remodeled this summer and It's now very clean and new. Two miles down the street there's another big Walgreens on the west side of the street, and a CVS will be opening very soon directly across the street on the east corner.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

quilter61 — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:44:33 GMT

That is too bad. I use Rite Aid for my scripts. It is close and the pharmacy staff are really nice. Walgreens does not take my insurance and there are not many choices where I live. Other pharamcies are out of the way.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

NoelSeven — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:50:09 GMT

@June222 wrote:
I never physically shop in drug stores...I only shop on line.

**********************************

You must be super-organized.

We've run to Walgreens late at night several times for urgent medical needs.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

ValuSkr — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:53:41 GMT

Walgreens has said it will leave Rite Aid intact and operate it as a subsidiary. From the NYT: "Rite Aid will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Walgreens operating under its own brand name when the deal is completed."

Just the same, you have to wonder if they'll close stores. In my part of PA, every small town has a Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, not to mention many in-store pharmacies. Must be a lot of money to be made in prescription drugs.

I have to agree with other posters - Rite Aid stores are often dirty, poorly organized, with postage-stamp sized parking lots and high prices. They won't be missed in this part of the country.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Nuttmeg — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 22:56:47 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
Judging by our local Rite Aid stores and the Walgreens we have, this will be a huge improvement. Our Rite Aids are gross and Walgreens are nice & clean.

The Walgreens are newer stores, and have much higher prices in my neighborhood.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

NoelSeven — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:17:06 GMT

I don't think I've ever been in a Rite Aid.

We use Target for routine things like band aids, Eucerine cream, tampons, etc. Costco for large bottles of Tylenol and Ibuprofin.

Walgreens isn't as inexpensive but it's sure good in a pinch, and sometimes for milk to add to a recipe when DH drank it all, lol.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

fthunt — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:16:16 GMT

We have both W & R-Aid and both are very clean - R-Aid just redid their stores but their prices are the highest in the area. I wanted a steno book (remember those ex sectretaries?) and the cost was over $3.00. Used to cost about 49 cents back in the day. I took a pass - will use the back of a used envelope.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

NoelSeven — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:19:41 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
We have both W & R-Aid and both are very clean - R-Aid just redid their stores but their prices are the highest in the area. I wanted a steno book (remember those ex sectretaries?) and the cost was over $3.00. Used to cost about 49 cents back in the day. I took a pass - will use the back of a used envelope.

*************************************

fthunt,

I use steno pads daily for running lists I make.

I order them in packs online at Amazon.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

JustJazzmom — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:43:42 GMT

Rite Aid in our area bought out Genovese Pharmacy and then the one by us closed to become a Modell's Sporting Goods. One in another town is now going to close because of Walgreen's taking over but Walgreen's will probably take its place there. A CVS is down the block from that store.

Rite Aid went downhill almost immediately after buying these Genovese Pharmacies. The pharmacist who used to work at the Genovese Pharmacy now works in the local supermarket pharmacy.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:21:56 GMT

It looks like a monopoly is slowly but surely being created. If Rite Aid goes away that leaves only 2 major pharm. in the country CVS and Walgreens. Excluding WM of course- which is it's own beast.

Another opportunity for prescription drugs cost to go higher with less competition for consumers. Drug companies are LOVING this!!

For those who use mail order scripts, you are not exempt from this problem- take a good look at who is the parent company.

Expect changes in your insurance companies prescription drug coverage plans.

The pond of options is shrinking. Sad.

Re: Walgreens Buys Rite Aid

Bird mama — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 02:31:42 GMT

Wow, I've been with Rite Aid since it was Perry drugs, lol. Maybe I'll finally get my Synthroid the way I want it. I just picked up my 90 day supply and had a discussion with the pharmacist. I said, Abbott Labs ships you bottles with a 90 count. My RX is for a 90 day supply. Why do you insist on opening the Abbott Labs bottle and transferring 90 pills into a Rite Aid bottle? I take and pay for the brand name. He says, some pharmacists don't like to label the manufacturer bottle. I said, maybe it's time for me to take my RX elsewhere.