RITE AID REACHES OREGON PROBE SETTLEMENT

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rite Aid Corp., Harrisburg, Pa., reached an agreement to settle a probe by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy here into a series of consumer complaints. The complaints included poorly trained and unsupervised staff and improper drug-dispensing procedures.

e Aid's market manager for Oregon, said in a press statement, "We acknowledge our responsibility to address the concerns expressed by the board."

In February, the drug chain paid a $10,000 penalty to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy, Seattle, over similar allegations, and contributed $40,000 to the Washington State Department of Health for health education.

According to state officials, complaints began being filed after Rite Aid purchased the Thrifty Payless chain in 1996.