The federal government is investing $3.15 million to expand pharmacy connectivity across rural Ohio through the Rural Health Transformation Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced.
The funding will connect independent and retail pharmacies, federally qualified health centers, and outpatient hospital pharmacies across Ohio's 73 rural counties to improve rural healthcare providers' access to prescription drug information.
The investment breaks down into $2 million to expand pharmacy connectivity and care coordination and $1.15 million to improve integration with Ohio's Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS). The effort aims to help rural prescribers and pharmacists identify potentially dangerous drug interactions and prevent fraudulent access to controlled substances.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the investment represents federal commitment to rural healthcare modernization. "This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home," Oz said.
Ohio also received a previously announced $10 million for rural workforce development and a $61.7 million funding opportunity to develop rural care networks across 73 non-urban counties.