RITE AID SOLD TO WALGREENS

(02/15/2018)
Rite Aid stores in West Virginia are beginning to house Walgreens pharmacies, the start of their transition into complete Walgreens stores following the $4.4 billion deal between the two pharmacy giants.

All 103 Rite Aid stores in West Virginia are among the 1,932 locations nationwide being sold to Walgreens, and the company is "about halfway" through the transfer of ownership of its West Virginia stores, according to a Rite Aid spokeswoman.

The first change customers will notice is a Rite Aid pharmacy becoming a Walgreens-managed pharmacy once a location purchase is completed.

The shift to Walgreens' prescription insurance network means certain insurance plans accepted at Rite Aid may no longer be applicable, or the copay could change. On a section of its website addressing Rite Aid pharmacy patients, Walgreens says its network accepts "most insurance plans."

Some of Rite-Aid stores will be closed.