Rite Aid pharmacists in Md. get OK to dispense prescribed hormonal contraceptives

Daily Record Staff//November 28, 2023//

A&G Real Estate Partners plans to market for sale a second tranche of 92 Rite Aid neighborhood pharmacy leases, including six in Maryland. (Submitted Photo)

The latest grouping of Rite Aid leases for sale comprises eight store leases that will be made available in private sales, pending court approval, including one in Maryland. (File Photo)

Daily Record Staff//November 28, 2023//

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Rite Aid Corporation announced Tuesday that customers in Maryland and four other states can now receive prescribed hormonal contraceptives by Rite Aid pharmacists at most store locations after completing an in-person private consultation.

Pharmacists in Maryland, as well as California, New Hampshire, Nevada and Oregon, have gained the authority to prescribe hormonal contraceptives depending on each state’s laws and regulations.

Training requirements typically require a state board-approved program or continuing education program. Rite Aid has created an internal Board of Pharmacy-approved ACPE Accredited CPE course to certify our pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception in select states. This training outlines the procedures to successfully guide pharmacists through the prescribing consultation for hormonal contraceptives, which includes screening, counseling, dispensing and the required documentation.

The drug store chain has expansion plans for prescribing and dispensing hormonal contraception in additional states as regulations permit.

Rite Aid employs more than 6,300 pharmacists and operates more than 2,300 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states.