Rite Aid greets allergy season with free screenings, offers for Wellness+ members

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

The chain said it would offer free allergy pamphlets at all its stores, as well as screenings at select locations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Pa., Buffalo, N.Y., and Nashville, Tenn. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has forecasted that mild winter temperatures, high precipitation and higher pollen production could make this spring one of the worst allergy seasons on record. The company also has launched a web page that includes details on Rite Aid Allergy Awards, which allow members of the chain's Wellness+ loyalty card program to earn a $20 gift certificate for every $75 spent on Zyrtec and Benadryl products.

"The best way to keep allergies from spoiling the spring is to begin treating seasonal symptoms about two weeks prior to their onset," Rite Aid EVP pharmacy Robert Thompson said. "That's why now is the perfect time to let customers know about Rite Aid's full array of allergy support, including personalized pharmacist counseling, allergy management tips in stores and online plus free clinical screenings to detect personal allergy triggers."

The company also said it would sponsor community health events during the week of April 14 at its nearly 800 Wellness stores, in which pharmacists would address topics like allergies, osteoporosis, men's health and infertility.