Ohio health department partners with 4 major retailers to distribute flu drugs where needed

Ohio agency partners with 4 retailers on flu drugs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state is partnering with four large retail chains in an attempt to make sure all Ohioans have access to flu treatment drugs this flu season.

The Ohio Department of Health said Wednesday it had reached an agreement with Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer and Walgreens to send them medications from the state supply should commercial supplies run out. The retailers will ship the drugs to stores with low supplies. They can charge patients an administrative fee of up to $3.70.

The state has roughly 1.5 million courses of treatment available, and said it can get more from the federal government if necessary. It would mainly be distributing Tamiflu.

The four retailers have stores in 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The state is trying to work with independent pharmacies in the remaining counties.