Michiganders feeling frustrated as Rite Aid closes in the state

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Many people are scrambling to get their prescription medications as Rite Aids across Michigan shut down for good.

The Rite Aid store at the intersection of Saginaw and Waverly will close after Wednesday, and people who needed their prescriptions filled before the last day were left in a bind as stock is running low and cannot be restocked.

"It's inconvenient," one resident said.

Many Mid-Michigan residents have expressed their frustrations on Facebook, sharing that it has been difficult to find ADHD medication specifically. With neighborhood Rite Aids closing left and right, residents are feeling the impact.

"It's a headache alright. At first, I was at the Rite Aid on Saginaw and MLK until they closed, then I came to this one. I live in this area, so I've been going to Rite Aid for quite a while," one resident said.

Liquidation sales are underway at most Rite Aid stores that are closing, and prescription files will be sold to nearby pharmacies. However, one resident stated that Rite Aid is a neighborhood staple where he gets all of his family's prescriptions filled.

"You get to know the people. I just feel better about it because there's a level of trust. I'm sure I could develop it somewhere else, but when you get to be older like me, you kinda want to stick with the people you know," Brian Stead said.

Many do not want to lose the familiar faces after finding out their prescriptions would be sent to Walgreens.

"I'm not used to Walgreens, and even when I went to my doctor this week and told him when he said I'm going to write you a prescription... and I just barely made it because my prescription was one of the last that they were going to fill at that store on Saginaw," Regina Dallen, a resident, said.

If your pharmacy is closing, officials say it's important to know how to transfer your prescriptions. You can contact a new pharmacy directly, use online tools, or contact your doctor for help.