Rep. Barhorst Underscores Efforts to Address Community Pharmacy Shortage Amid New Data about Closures

State Representative Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) today underscored the need for legislative efforts to address widespread pharmacy deserts in Ohio following the release of data from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy regarding pharmacy closure trends.  

As announced by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy last week, Ohio saw the closure of 215 retail pharmacies in 2024. This included 19 independent, 14 small chain (2-11 stores), and 182 large chain pharmacies (12+ stores). Additionally, the Board of Pharmacy licensing data shows 35 closings in 2025, including 5 hospital outpatient, 17 independent, 6 small chain, and 7 large chain pharmacies. Further, revised figures show the number of retail pharmacies declining in Ohio from a high of 2,218 in 2015 to 1,799 in 2024, a reduction of 19 percent.

“The 2025 renewal license data shows a dramatic loss of 215 Ohio pharmacies last year alone,” said Rep. Barhorst. “This, combined with the past year’s losses, demonstrates the concerning number of surviving pharmacies operating on their last leg and paints a very grim future for Ohio pharmacies and vital patient access.”

In response to this growing healthcare crisis, Rep. Barhorst introduced legislation earlier this year to safeguard independent pharmacies, ensure fair business practices, and provide greater transparency in prescription drug pricing for patients and plan sponsors.

House Bill 192 aims to curtail various practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers through several key protections: 

• Bans PBMs from engaging in retaliation against pharmacies that report violations or exercise their legal rights. This includes prohibiting surprise audits, delayed payments, or arbitrary contract terminations. The bill mandates due process with advance notice and written justification for any adverse action.
• Prevents PBMs from imposing additional accreditation or certification requirements that go beyond what is required by the State Board of Pharmacy, ensuring fair access to pharmacy networks.
• Requires PBMs to give pharmacies 90 days’ notice and a clear explanation before increasing the frequency of audits. This ensures a fair, transparent process and prevents intimidation tactics.
• Requires PBMs to submit monthly, machine-readable electronic reports to insurers and plan sponsors. These reports must include an itemized receipt of all drug claims, detailing the actual acquisition cost of each prescription drug. This empowers employers to audit drug costs effectively and assess whether their prescription benefits align with financial expectations.

“Ohio is on the verge of widespread pharmacy deserts,” said Rep. Barhorst. “The primary purpose of House Bill 192 is to address a market failure created by the policies and practices of PBMs, which are bankrupting community & independent pharmacies. It is our hope that these provisions will help community and independent pharmacies remain in business for the long term to provide critical healthcare services for constituents in our districts across Ohio.”

House Bill 192 is currently being vetted in the House Insurance Committee.