CVS Health has submitted a bid to acquire several Rite Aid stores along with patient prescription data in the Pacific Northwest, covering states like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This move by CVS aims to expand its footprint in the region by tapping into Rite Aid's customer base and prescription services.
This acquisition attempt occurs during Rite Aid's bankruptcy proceedings, as the company has recently filed for Chapter 11 protection. Reuters reported that the bankruptcy filing on October 15, 2023, was primarily due to multiple lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. Besides CVS, other notable bidders for Rite Aid's assets include Walgreens Boots Alliance, Kroger, Albertsons, and Giant Eagle, all interested in acquiring pharmacy inventory and patient prescription data.
Rite Aid's future remains uncertain as CEO Matthew Schroeder acknowledged that the company's assets will be sold off, leading to its dissolution post-bankruptcy. Amid these developments, concerns regarding patient privacy have arisen, especially following a congressional inquiry which found that major pharmacy chains, including CVS Health, have shared patient prescription information with law enforcement without a warrant. These revelations cast a spotlight on patient data handling during such acquisition attempts.