Rite Aid launches Wellness+ free diabetes program offering savings, resources to people with diabetes and their caregivers

Cindy Allen

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts , September 28, 2011 (press release) – As part of its continuing efforts to address the specific needs of the more than 26 million Americans living with diabetes, Rite Aid is launching wellness+ for diabetes, a multi-faceted, free program that offers exclusive resources and savings to people living with diabetes and their caregivers. Beginning this week, customers can easily sign up for the wellness+ for diabetes program at any Rite Aid store, online at www.riteaid.com/diabetes or http://WebMD.com/diabeteshead2toe.

Through Rite Aid’s collaboration with WebMD, customers enrolled in wellness+ for diabetes will have exclusive 24/7 online access to a special Rite Aid-sponsored section of WebMD’s “Diabetes head2toe” online lifestyle management tools. This includes a Personal Diabetes Work Plan—customized for each individual member—that features a daily glucose tracker, a weekly workout log, recipes and meal planning tips, and monthly lifestyle summary reports. WebMD’s Diabetes head2toe provides comprehensive health and wellness information about living with diabetes as well as inspirational stories of people who live healthy, balanced lives with diabetes.

“People living with diabetes and their caregivers are often overwhelmed by all the information available to them and are looking for help to make sense of it all,” said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid Executive Vice President of Pharmacy. “Our new wellness+ for diabetes program offers unique answers and extends the support Rite Aid pharmacists have long offered. We are excited to offer our diabetes customers and caregivers exclusive online tools together with WebMD’s credible and trusted health information through its Diabetes head2toe program, and to help them live well with diabetes.”

In addition to the resources available via WebMD’s Diabetes head2toe, all Rite Aid stores offer additional benefits to members of wellness+ for diabetes, which include:

Access to informative videos and web pages that can be viewed by scanning a special barcode known as a QR code with a smartphone
Educational brochures plus additional resources provided by manufacturers of diabetes-related products
Exclusive wellness+ for diabetes rewards, including a $10+UP Reward that can be used on a future Rite Aid purchase for every $50 purchase of diabetes-related products
A welcome package with more than $100 in savings on a variety of diabetes-related products* for patients bringing in a new diabetes prescription

Wellness+ for diabetes members can also access specially trained pharmacists who can answer diabetes medication questions. This service is available online at www.riteaid.com/diabetes or by phone at 1-800-RITE-AID Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

“WebMD’s reach to more than 100 million unique visitors each month, extends Rite Aid’s wellness+ for diabetes services and benefits to consumers who are actively seeking information on how to better manage living with diabetes,” said John Learish, Rite Aid Senior Vice President of Marketing.

As part of the Rite Aid and WebMD collaboration, a survey is being conducted to gain further insights about the impact of diabetes, particularly on women. The survey findings will be released in the coming weeks.

“We want to better understand how women and men are affected differently by this disease, barriers to people managing their condition and the ways we can best support people living with diabetes and their caregivers,” added Learish.

In addition to all the special diabetes-related benefits, wellness+ for diabetes members also enjoy all the existing benefits of wellness+, Rite Aid’s free customer loyalty program, the top-ranked and most-recommended loyalty program in the country.** Wellness+ members earn points*** for free health and wellness benefits such as free cholesterol or blood glucose screenings, as well as member-only shopping discounts and special prices. Other benefits include 24/7 toll-free access to a pharmacist and 10 percent off Rite Aid brand products. To learn more about wellness+, visit www.riteaid.com.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD - News) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s website at www.riteaid.com.

*No purchase necessary.

**According to Zocalo Group Recommendation Index, February, 2011.

***Prescriptions paid for in whole or in part by state or federal healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid and prescriptions filled in NY, NJ or MA are not eligible by law for accrual of points. Visit www.riteaid.com for complete details.

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