Rite Aid Closure in Ada and Its Impact on Patient Care

In a move that has left many Ada residents scrambling for their prescriptions, the Rite Aid on Main Street has officially closed following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. This closure is part of a broader wave of Rite Aid store shutdowns across Ohio, affecting various locations, including Lima, Findlay, and Kenton. The loss of this local pharmacy raises concerns about patient access to medications and healthcare. It also holds the potential to impact medication adherence, or residents not taking their medications as prescribed by their healthcare provider, in the region.

Rite Aid’s Legal Troubles and Bankruptcy Filing

Rite Aid’s bankruptcy is rooted in allegations that the company knowingly dispensed unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids. Between 2014 and 2019, Rite Aid’s settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over violations of the Controlled Substances Act, according to the settlement, Rite Aid dispensed prescriptions that lacked “legitimate medical purpose.” This included dangerous drug combinations called “the trinity,” which is excessive quantities of highly addictive opioids such as oxycodone and fentanyl, and prescriptions from prescribers flagged by Rite Aid pharmacists as suspicious. Despite these red flags, the company failed to act on internal warnings, even going so far as to delete notes from pharmacists and their teams that tracked concerns about questionable prescribers. These practices, the lawsuit claims, led to violations of the Controlled Substances Act and fraudulent claims submitted to federal healthcare programs. 

Employee Reactions and Pre-Closure Concerns

Ean Worth, a now former Rite Aid pharmacy intern and 2026 PharmD candidate at Ohio Northern University (ONU), spoke about the confusion and lack of communication employees faced during the bankruptcy proceedings. “We were kept in the dark for much of it. We’d get emails about the bankruptcy court proceedings, but there was no clear explanation of what this meant for us or the store,” Worth recalled. 

As rumors of closure spread, patient volumes at the Ada location began to decline sharply. “Before the announcement, we were filling 500-600 prescriptions on busy days. By the end, it dropped to just 150-200 as patients started transferring their prescriptions elsewhere,” Worth explained. 

When the closure was finalized, Walgreens acquired the remaining Rite Aid prescriptions, automatically transferring them to nearby Walgreens locations, primarily located in Lima or Findlay. However, many rural patients were hesitant to travel to Lima or Findlay for their medications, further complicating access to care. Worth noted that one patient admitted to leaving the Village of Ada only four times a year.

Additionally, Worth explained that the Ada Rite Aid location also had seven final-year Advanced Pharmaceutical Practice Experience (APPE) pharmacy students lined up for their rotation in the 2024-2025 year, a requirement for their PharmD degree, adding another layer of disruption. Further complicating matters, Schedule II prescriptions, which cannot be transferred under federal law, required new prescriptions from providers, even though Walgreens had purchased the patients’ records. This likely put additional strain on the two physician offices in Ada. 

What Happens to Rite Aid Patients Now?

After the closure of the local Rite Aid and with many patients reluctant to leave the village for their prescriptions, a significant number chose to transfer their medications to ONU’s HealthWise Pharmacy. This decision helped maintain local access to care for many. However, the sudden influx of patients has drawn attention to the pharmacy, as the Ada Herald reported that many longtime residents believed ONU HealthWise only served university students and staff, which is a misconception. This may explain the increased signage promoting the pharmacy’s services to the wider community.

Rachel Thompson, a pharmacy intern and 2026 PharmD candidate at ONU HealthWise, reported that the pharmacy has experienced a three-fold increase in patient volume since the closure of Rite Aid. “We’ve had to expand our shelves and adjust our workflow to meet the new demand,” Thompson explained.

In anticipation, the HealthWise team has grown to include eight interns, while also welcoming pharmacist Amanda Fordyce as the latest addition. Despite the heightened workload, Thompson noted that patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the pharmacy for handling the transition smoothly.

Pharmacy Deserts and Healthcare Access

With Rite Aid’s closure, ONU HealthWise is now the only thing standing in the way of Ada becoming a pharmacy desert — a rural area where the nearest pharmacy is more than 10 miles away. HealthWise is currently the only pharmacy keeping Ada’s residents connected to essential medications. With only two pharmacies located within a 20-minute drive from the heart of Ada, most patients’ nearest alternative is HealthWise Pharmacy. This shortage of nearby pharmacies raises significant concerns about medication adherence, particularly for elderly patients who may struggle with transportation or lack access to tele-pharmacy options.

Limited access to pharmacies is often linked to lower medication adherence rates, which can result in increased health issues and even higher mortality rates. For socially underserved communities like the rural village of Ada, limited access to services such as healthcare and transportation makes residents more vulnerable. Rural areas often have fewer healthcare providers, longer travel distances, and limited public transportation, which can make managing health more difficult. The loss of a local pharmacy like Rite Aid only worsens these challenges. This can mean reducing access to medications and other critical resources when they are most needed.

HealthWise Pharmacy’s Response to Increased Demand

In an interview with Ada Herald, Stuart Beatty, Dean of the Ohio Northern’s Raabe College of Pharmacy, clarified that patients affected by Rite Aid’s closure have options. While prescription profiles are often transferred to designated pharmacies such as Walgreens, patients are free to choose where they want to fill their prescriptions.

HealthWise Pharmacy has declared their dedication to meeting the needs of the Ada community during this transition. The pharmacy offers essential services like flu shots, immunizations, and private rooms for health checks, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. 

Thompson highlighted the positive feedback from patients. “Despite the challenges we face after Rite Aid’s closure, we remain focused on our patient care approach,” she said. “This situation opens new doors for HealthWise and the community we serve.” The pharmacy also provides curbside pickup and delivery to enhance accessibility.

In response to the increased demand, HealthWise has adapted its operations to continue providing effective care. Thompson emphasized that the pharmacy’s staff is dedicated to managing the transition smoothly and ensuring that patient needs remain a top priority.

The closure of Rite Aid in Ada serves as a reminder of the challenges rural communities face in accessing healthcare and medications. With the loss of Rite Aid pharmacy, many residents now find themselves in a difficult position – reliant on alternative options that may not fully meet their needs. The new influx of patients at ONU HealthWise highlights the crucial role that local independent pharmacies play in maintaining health and wellness, yet it also raises concerns about the sustainability of these services amidst increasing demand. 

The future of healthcare in Ada may depend on the collaborative efforts of healthcare providers, community members, and local organizations working together to fill the gaps left by larger pharmacy chains.

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4. National Council on Patient Information and Education. Accelerating Progress in Prescription Medicine Adherence: The Adherence Action Agenda. A National Action Plan to Address America’s “Other Drug Problem.” October 2013. http://bemedicinesmart.org. ↩︎