Community Relies on Rite Aid Pharmacy on Junction Blvd: Implications of Closure

María Marmolejos and Plubio José have been buying their medications for years at a Rite Aid pharmacy located on Junction Blvd and say that if it were closed, the community would suffer a lot.

“For the neighborhood it would be a problem because they would have to move far from the neighborhood to acquire the medicine,” José said.

Although they moved from the area a while ago, they take the train to buy their medications at this pharmacy.

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“We live in Kew Gardens and look where we came from because this is where you are willing to buy,” Marmolejos said.

“There are things we buy here now that cost too much over there,” José added.

Rite Aid is one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country, with more than 2,200 pharmacies in 17 states. In March, the federal government sued the company for its alleged role in the opioid epidemic.

According to the lawsuit, Rite Aid repeatedly sold illegal combinations of prescriptions containing excessive amounts of opioids such as oxycodone and fentanyl between May 2014 and June 2019.

In addition to the federal government’s indictment, Rite Aid faces another 1,600 lawsuits from state and local governments, hospitals and individuals for overselling opioids.

Rite Aid announced Sunday that it has entered into a court-supervised voluntary process under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Through chapter 11, the debtor proposes a reorganization plan to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. Rite Aid has a debt of more than $3.3 billion.

The company will close 20 pharmacies in New York state. In Queens, at least two pharmacies have closed in the last two years. The Jackson Heights location is close to an emergency medical center, which for many is a great need.

“The point is especially necessary for the Hispanic community residing in the community,” said Jorge Villarruel, another Rite Aid customer.

2023-10-18 19:02:00
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