Fruth Pharmacy, a family-owned chain in West Virginia, announced that it will sell its business to Walgreens.
Fruth Pharmacy, which has been in business for 70 years, has struggled with reduced reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers, which contributed to the sale, per a Supermarket News report.
Lynne Fruth, president and chairman, who took ownership of the business from her father, Jack, in 2009, said the continued closures of pharmacies due to lower reimbursement rates should serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers to hold PBMs accountable before more pharmacies disappear, the report said. “We trust that Walgreens will continue to offer the care that people need in West Virginia and Ohio,” Fruth said. “I am proud of the many contributions that Fruth Pharmacy has made over the past 73 years.”
Fruth credited the company with leading efforts to fight drug abuse and providing hundreds of scholarships to students. She also advocated for legislation to help pharmacies survive in rural areas, the report noted.
A Walgreens spokesperson told DSN, “Retail pharmacies play a vital role in delivering care where patients need it most. Beginning December 3, 2025, prescription files and related pharmacy inventory from 16 Fruth Pharmacy locations in Ohio and West Virginia will transition to nearby Walgreens stores designated to receive them. Our goal is to make the process seamless for patients and ensure they continue to have access to trusted, high-quality pharmacy care.”
Lynne Fruth told DSN, “I am proud of the many contributions that Fruth Pharmacy has made over the past 73 years. 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 added, “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.”
Fruth concluded, “Pharmacies have been under attack by greedy PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) for many years. 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 wake up 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.”
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