The Challenges
Rite Aid faced several operational hurdles that LSPedia’s solutions were uniquely qualified to overcome:
- DSCSA Compliance at Scale: With over 1,300 stores, Rite Aid’s operations required a system that could handle large-scale scanning, receiving, and reconciling of serialized pharmaceuticals.
- Legacy System Limitations: Rite Aid’s previous traceability system lacked the flexibility and modern functionality to support growing DSCSA requirements.
- Cumbersome Recall Process: Inefficient, disconnected recall processes caused delays in execution, creating potential risk for customer safety and regulatory compliance.
- Integration Needs: Rite Aid’s workflows with its reverse distributor required a solution that could easily integrate and automate the return and recall processes.
- Verification of Prescription Drugs: Rite Aid needed a system to verify prescription drugs to meet DSCSA requirements, which added another layer of operational complexity.
The Solutions
LSPedia delivered a comprehensive, phased solution tailored to Rite Aid’s unique needs:
- Enterprise L4 Solution: Deployed in November 2022, LSPedia’s Enterprise L4 platform was implemented for Rite Aid’s Central Fill and corporate distribution operations. This system provided end-to-end traceability with the capacity to handle the high-volume demands of Rite Aid’s supply chain.
- Pharmacy Pro for Store-Level Compliance: After assessing whether to build or enhance its homegrown software, Rite Aid opted for LSPedia’s Pharmacy Pro solution. The deciding factors were the superior scanning, receiving, and reconciliation capabilities, coupled with its ability to seamlessly integrate with Rite Aid’s reverse distributor.
- Integrated Recall Management: LSPedia’s solution replaced Rite Aid’s manual recall process with a fully digital, automated recall system that synchronized with EPCIS data. This innovation enabled fast and efficient recalls at the store level, safeguarding customers and reducing operational disruption.
- Pharmacy Pro VRS for Drug Verification: LSPedia’s Pharmacy Pro VRS provided Rite Aid with a robust system for verifying prescription drugs, ensuring compliance with DSCSA’s product verification requirements. This feature gave Rite Aid confidence in its product integrity and allowed for fast, accurate verification at the store level.
Implementation
Rite Aid’s implementation strategy was phased to ensure minimal business disruption:
Phase 1: Rollout of LSPedia’s Enterprise L4 system for Central Fill and corporate distribution in November 2022, enhancing traceability and enabling DSCSA compliance for bulk operations.
Phase 2: Deployment of Pharmacy Pro across all retail store locations. LSPedia’s dedicated implementation team provided hands-on training and support for store staff, ensuring rapid adoption and operational continuity.
The Results
Since implementing LSPedia’s solutions, Rite Aid has achieved transformative results:
- Full DSCSA Compliance: Rite Aid met regulatory deadlines and achieved compliance at every store, ensuring traceability and accountability across its entire supply chain.
- Operational Efficiency: Store-level scanning and receiving times have significantly improved, with faster processing and fewer errors. This has reduced the workload for store associates, allowing them to focus on customer service.
- Streamlined Recall Management: Recall execution times have been slashed from days to hours, thanks to LSPedia’s automated, EPCIS-linked system. This improvement enhances customer safety and reduces regulatory risk.
- Seamless Reverse Distributor Integration: By connecting Rite Aid’s system to its reverse distributor, LSPedia’s solution streamlined returns and recalls, cutting down on processing times and operational costs.
- Drug Verification Compliance: The implementation of Pharmacy Pro VRS has enabled Rite Aid to achieve DSCSA’s drug verification requirements, ensuring the authenticity of prescription drugs and protecting customer safety.
Conclusion
Rite Aid’s decision to partner with LSPedia was driven by the need for a partner, not just a provider. By selecting LSPedia’s Enterprise L4 and Pharmacy Pro solutions, Rite Aid achieved industry-leading DSCSA compliance, operational efficiency, and recall management. LSPedia’s comprehensive approach, user-friendly tools, and dedicated support enabled Rite Aid to modernize its processes and position itself as a leader in supply chain excellence. For other large retailers facing similar challenges, Rite Aid’s story underscores the power of choosing a partner who’s committed to delivering results, not just software.
