Almost a year ago, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s first brick-and-mortar pharmacy, PPRx, opened its doors. Since then, the pharmacy that was created to expand access to medications and support long-term sustainability of local reproductive health care has been filling shifting needs in the community. As pharmacies all over
Akron were closing, specifically near the nonprofit’s Akron health center, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio needed to provide an alternative for patients to continue accessing their prescriptions.
PPRx operates as a nonprofit pharmacy connected to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s broader work; a mission dedicated to providing care, no matter what. As a nonprofit pharmacy, PPRx generates revenue that is reinvested into health services across the organization—that revenue helps support patient care, staffing, and health center operations at a time when reproductive health providers face increasing financial pressure.
As Planned Parenthood has experienced reductions in funding, community support is paramount. One significant recent change limits health centers’ ability to receive Medicaid reimbursement for services. About 43% of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s patients rely on Medicaid for health care—whether it’s for birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing, or routine preventive health visits. PPRx functions as a part of broader access to reproductive health care in Ohio as it continues to serve gender- affirming care patients and open access to contraception with no gaps. Local ownership plays an important role in maintaining access to care.
“Certain policy changes, such as Medicaid restrictions, limits on reproductive or LGBTQ+ health services, and reduced public health funding can have large impacts on health outcomes that will have long-lasting consequences. Locally-owned healthcare organizations are more likely to maintain essential services because they are accountable to the community,” says Neesha Pitts, Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives for the organization.
For community members who value access to reproductive health care, using PPRx is one way to contribute. Choosing where to fill a prescription is a practical decision, and for some people it can also reflect a preference for supporting local, mission driven health care infrastructure. PPRx also provides mail delivery services for those who want to support Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio but don’t live in Akron.
“Mail delivery of prescriptions is our highest volume service out of the pharmacy versus the walk-in community,” Pitts stated.
The pharmacy also presents a welcoming and respectful environment for the community to pick up prescriptions where they know their identity and choices are respected. “At other pharmacies, our trans patients were turned away for things like Plan B and Testosterone. Having our own pharmacy allows us the opportunity to provide these services with no stop gaps,” Pitts shared. Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio having a pharmacy offers a range of personalized direct patient care options in a holistic way—differing from partners who tend to maneuver based on insurance plans and co-pays.
PPRx is a stable, long-term resource for Akron and for patients across Ohio. The pharmacy is for everyone—whether they’re within the LGBTQ+ community or simply need a script filled. Its brick-and-mortar presence represents an investment in local access at a moment when many communities are losing health care services. Its delivery model extends that access statewide.
After one year of operation, PPRx more focused on its core purpose than ever: making medications accessible, affordable, and easy to obtain for patients, while supporting the sustainability of reproductive health care in Ohio.
Anyone interested in learning more about PPRx, transferring a prescription, using the pharmacy’s delivery services, and additional information here.
