ASHLAND – Ritzman Pharmacies announced Monday it plans to sell all 20 of its Ohio retail pharmacies to CVS Pharmacy by the end of February.
CVS plans to close Ashland’s Ritzman Pharmacy, which is located inside Buehler’s Fresh Foods.
Also closing are locations in Rittman, Shreve, Sugarcreek, Wooster Milltown, Medina, Millersburg, Barberton, Wadsworth, Norton, Seville, Green, Wooster, Ashland, Orrville, Dover and Jackson. Akron and Berlin locations will remain open.
The last day for the Ashland location will be Feb. 4, according to managing pharmacist Rob Wilkins.
“It will be business as usual here until Feb. 4, and then all prescriptions will be transferred to CVS Pharmacy,” Wilkins said.
Prescriptions will transfer automatically to the Ashland CVS at 418 E. Main St.
CVS Pharmacy expects to interview any Ritzman Pharmacy employee who is interested in joining the CVS Pharmacy team, according to a press release from Ritzman Pharmacy.
Wilkins said CVS has already begun the interview process and will interview all four Ashland Ritzman Pharmacy location staff members.
Eric Graf, President and CEO of Ritzman, said in the press release the decision to sell to CVS has been a lengthy process that included engaging the investment community, local and national chains, as well as private equity.
“We have worked hard to sustain the independently operated community pharmacy model and are disappointed to bring it to a close, but it is time to pass our retail business to a company with more resources,” he said.
Graf went on to thank Ritzman’s patients, customers, associates and communities for 70 years of support.
Both companies are working together to ensure a seamless transition for customers, the release said.
“CVS Pharmacy knows that Ritzman Pharmacy has been providing trusted pharmacy care for its patients for decades and we are excited to continue that tradition,” said Everett Moore, Division Vice President for CVS Pharmacy. “We are looking forward to introducing our industry-leading products and services to Ritzman patients and are committed to ensuring that their pharmacy needs are not only met, but exceeded.”
