Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today announced $3.15 million in awards for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Pharmacy Initiative, aimed at expanding pharmacy connectivity and improving the health of residents in Ohio's rural communities. This funding addresses critical gaps in healthcare access, particularly in areas facing pharmacy shortages.
The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) received $2 million for this initiative, while the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy was awarded $1.15 million. Governor DeWine emphasized the program's importance, saying, "Rural Ohio has faced pharmacy shortages leaving Ohioans without access to critical healthcare necessities like medications and other basic needs. This funding specifically addresses the gaps in rural areas to bring together pharmacies so Ohioans have the resources they need in their own community."
OPA will utilize its award to connect a network of independent, retail, federally qualified health centers, and outpatient hospital pharmacies across Ohio’s 73 rural counties to a health information exchange (HIE). This integration will enhance patient access to medical records, improve care coordination, and reduce drug-related adverse events. ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said, "We know how important it is for all Ohioans to access their medical records over a secure health information exchange." Sara Kilpatrick, OPA chief executive officer, called it "a transformational opportunity for rural healthcare in Ohio."
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy's funding will support efforts to improve integrated access to the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) for rural healthcare providers. OARRS collects information on controlled substance prescriptions, helping prescribers and pharmacists prevent dangerous drug interactions and identify fraudulent activity. Currently, rural communities have some of the lowest OARRS integration rates, a disparity the Board aims to rectify by achieving a 90% integration rate through outreach and assistance. Steven W. Schierholt, Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive Director, said, "OARRS integration allows healthcare providers instant access to critical prescription information within their electronic systems, which saves time that can be redirected to patient care."
This initiative is part of Ohio's broader $202 million RHT Program, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz noted that the program ensures "access to quality health care shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code," driving transformative innovations for rural communities.