POINT PLEASANT, W. Va. — Fruth Pharmacy has been acquired by Walgreens, ending more than seven decades as a family-owned regional chain.
Beginning December 3, prescription files and related inventory from 16 Fruth stores in West Virginia and Ohio will be transferred to nearby Walgreens stores.
"Our goal is to make the process seamless for patients and ensure they continue to have access to trusted, high-quality pharmacy care,” said a Walgreens spokeswoman.
“I am proud of the many contributions that Fruth Pharmacy has made over the past 73 years," chairman and president Lynne Fruth said. "Fruth Pharmacy led the way in fighting drug abuse and providing scholarships to hundreds of deserving students. More recently, Fruth was critical in providing testing and vaccinations during the pandemic and fighting for legislation to ensure that pharmacies could survive in rural areas.
"Fruth pharmacists have provided excellent care in their communities by putting patients first. We trust that Walgreens will continue to offer great care that is needed in W. Va. and Ohio. We are pleased that Walgreens will be interviewing and offering positions to many Fruth employees.”
Lynne Fruth blamed PBMs for the pharmacy sector's struggle to be profitable. “Pharmacies have been under attack by greedy PBMs" for years, she said. "By reimbursing pharmacies less money than a medication costs, PBMs have caused the closure of thousands of pharmacies across America. The continued closings of pharmacies must be a wakeup call for lawmakers to hold PBMs accountable before all pharmacies disappear. The leadership of Fruth Pharmacy will continue to fight for the practice of pharmacy and to save community pharmacy in our area, and the Fruth Scholarship Program will continue to help deserving students.”
Chain Drug Review had chosen Fruth Pharmacy as its Regional Chain of the Year in 2023.
