By Chelsea Bacon
The long-standing Rite Aid at 432 North Main Street in Alturas, CA, will soon transition to new ownership and a fresh identity. Although the location will remain open, it will no longer operate under the Rite Aid name. Instead, it will be reborn as Modoc Family Pharmacy (MFP) — a locally inspired pharmacy initiative.
The new pharmacy will be operated by Cascadia Pharmacy Group, an independent pharmacy organization with a growing regional presence. This change comes as part of a vision led by Tyler Dearing, brother of Modoc Optometrist Dr. Kyle Dearing. Tyler, who owns two pharmacies in Roseburg, partnered with Jeff Harrell, a pharmacy leader who operates 34 locations across the Pacific Northwest.
Recognizing the critical need for accessible pharmacy services in rural communities, Dearing and Harrell are committed to creating a health-focused, community-driven space. “Every town should have more than one pharmacy option,” says Dearing. Their team’s goal is to shape Modoc Family Pharmacy into a trusted health hub, designed with direct input from Modoc County residents — a Modoc Footprint that reflects local values and healthcare needs.
Tyler Dearing, a community advocate and part of the local leadership behind MFP, emphasized the mission of the pharmacy:
“There is no better pharmacy than an independent pharmacy. We make our own decisions and can customize our pharmacy to be the footprint of Modoc County. This is more to me than just owning a pharmacy — this is not a financial decision. This is me trying to provide a business to my family’s community and provide jobs.”
He added, “In Alturas, it doesn’t work to go and pick up a prescription — some people need it sent to their door.” Dearing also addressed broader healthcare issues, stating, “Insurance companies are monopolies.”
He continued, “I have nothing but sincere gratitude to Modoc Medical Center who has been so welcoming. We are both here to work with all medical organizations. If someone can’t find a medication, I want to help find it for them. We are here together — built on local businesses in the community.”
Regarding the transition, Dearing reassured the public: “Buying a store is a process; buying a pharmacy is a much larger process. Rite Aid has been confidently working with us through this whole process.” He affirmed, “There will be a Rite Aid, until there is a Modoc Family Pharmacy.”
The owners promise the transition from Rite Aid to Modoc Family Pharmacy will be “seamless.” There is no need for customers to switch pharmacies or transfer prescriptions — all existing records and medications will remain in place. “No worries should be had by anyone who seeks prescriptions at the Rite Aid Pharmacy,” Dearing said.
To ensure uninterrupted care and ease of transition, Modoc Family Pharmacy will continue using the same pharmacy benefit manager for insurance billing and claims. This will allow for a smooth and automatic switchover, with no extra steps required for patients or providers.
In especially meaningful news for the community, Philip Harvey — beloved pharmacist in Modoc County for over five years — will not only remain at the pharmacy but will also be a partner in Modoc Family Pharmacy.
Harvey was initially shocked when offered the opportunity: “I was completely surprised — but incredibly honored,” he shared. This offer and opportunity came without hesitation from either side. According to Dearing, “We always knew we wanted Philip as our partner. It was never a question. The way the community talks about him, the respect they have for his work — we were proud to offer him that role.”
Harvey had long dreamed of running an independent pharmacy in a rural community. He had pitched the idea before when Rite Aids began their closures, but said, “No one had ever taken it seriously enough to move forward.”
His deep devotion to small-town pharmacy care comes from his roots. Harvey attributes his passion for serving rural communities and helping patients to the way he was raised. From a young age, he watched his father — a pharmacist who owned Family Drug in Tonopah, Nevada, for over 20 years — build trust and care within a tight-knit community.
“I remember playing with packaging peanuts in my dad’s pharmacy,” Harvey recalled.
After completing his undergraduate studies at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and finishing his Doctorate of Pharmacy and MBA, Harvey knew exactly what he wanted: “Serving a small, rural community was always my goal.”
With some friends already living in Susanville, CA, he began exploring the region — and the moment he visited Alturas, he said he just “fell in love with the town.”
Harvey is also continuing to expand his clinical capabilities. He is currently completing certification for an Advanced Practice Pharmacist license, which will allow him to collaborate directly with doctors on patient care, including the ability to adjust dosing when needed. This added level of care will further integrate pharmacy services with the broader healthcare system in Modoc County.
The team also has every intention to retain the entire current pharmacy staff and strengthen local relationships. “We hope to be more tied to the community than ever before,” Harvey said. “More opportunities for the community to make them healthier than ever.”
Harvey’s heart clearly shines through in how he talks about his customers.
“I know them. I know their families. I see that they are in fear,” he said. “I’m a very personal person. I know that choosing your pharmacy is a very personal decision. I, of course, hope that they choose me. If anyone has any fear or worry about the future of their prescriptions, please do not hesitate to call me. I am more than happy to answer any questions anyone may have.”
He added: “We want to help them on their journey. We want to help put them at ease and assure them everything is going to be okay.”
Leadership has also shared that there are big, big plans to come. They say Modoc Family Pharmacy will be able to provide far more than Rite Aid corporate ever could, thanks to local control, flexibility, and a deep commitment to serving the unique needs of Modoc County residents.
As part of those plans, leadership intends to shape the store front into what the community truly needs. While a wide range of over-the-counter (OTC) medications will still be available, everything else in the retail space is open for discussion. The team plans to actively seek input from the community about what goods, services, and features are most needed, ensuring the space reflects Modoc’s values, lifestyles, and everyday needs.
The change also responds to growing concerns about corporate consolidation in healthcare. For example, CVS Health owns its pharmacies outright, along with CVS Caremark (a pharmacy benefit manager) and Aetna (a major insurer). This vertical integration model has drawn scrutiny for reducing competition and patient choice — challenges MFP aims to counter through transparency, personalized service, and a community-first approach.
“This pharmacy will be built for the community,” says Philip Harvey.
Stay tuned for updates on the transition timeline and opportunities to get involved as Modoc Family Pharmacy takes shape.
