As Hurricane Sandy takes aim at the East Coast, Rite Aid stores in anticipated areas of impact have stocked up on supplies to help residents get ready and urge them to plan ahead.

Rite Aid stores in the potential path of the Category 1 hurricane have increased supplies of bottled water, batteries, flashlights, canned foods including pet food, first aid supplies, disposable cameras, and other emergency provisions such as duct tape and cleaning supplies. Residents in the storm's potential path should heed local municipal warnings and prepare accordingly.

The American Red Cross recommends having a seven-day supply of medications and medical supplies such as syringes, hearing aid batteries, and glucose testing strips on hand. All Rite Aid pharmacists are available to answer questions and assist people with their over-the-counter and prescription medication needs, ensuring they are prepared should they be impacted by the hurricane or an extended period of power loss.

A good rule of thumb – disaster or not – is to keep a written record of prescriptions with the patient’s name, dosage and physician’s name and contact information. Evacuees should take that written record with them along with all their prescriptions, even if empty, in a waterproof bag.

If evacuated, residents can visit any Rite Aid in any city and state for their prescriptions because the company’s satellite-linked computer network assures a complete customer prescription history at any Rite Aid store. Residents can find the closest open Rite Aid by calling 1-800-RITE-AID (1-800-748-3243) and pressing “0” or asking for Customer Service.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with more than 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2012 annual revenues of $26.1 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.