(Photo By Flickr User Mike Mozart)

The Deerfield, IL based drug-store giant, Walgreens, is expanding its pharmacy territory.

According to cinewsnow.com, Walgreens announced earlier this week, that it is buying out drug-store chain rival Rite Aid for $17.2 billion, including debts.

The deal combines the second and third largest drug-store operators, behind CVS Health, which is currently leading the pack.

At last count, Rite Aid had nearly 4,600+ drugstores in 31 states.