Rural Pharmacy and Prescription Drugs – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Pharmacy and Prescription Drugs.
Drug Discount Program: Federal Oversight of Compliance at 340B Contract Pharmacies Needs Improvement
Focuses on the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows certain facilities such as Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at reduced cost. Describes financial arrangements participating facilities have with contract pharmacies, the extent to which they provide discounts on 340B drugs dispensed by contract pharmacies to low-income, uninsured patients, and examines the Health Resources and Services Administration's efforts to ensure compliance with 340B Program requirements at contract pharmacies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Focuses on the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows certain facilities such as Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at reduced cost. Describes financial arrangements participating facilities have with contract pharmacies, the extent to which they provide discounts on 340B drugs dispensed by contract pharmacies to low-income, uninsured patients, and examines the Health Resources and Services Administration's efforts to ensure compliance with 340B Program requirements at contract pharmacies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Review of the 340B Drug Pricing Program
Provides extensive background information about the 340B Program, explains the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) oversight functions, and details requirements for the various covered entities, including rural hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Also makes recommendations for clarifying the 340B Program's scope and ensuring program integrity is maintained.
Date: 01/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Provides extensive background information about the 340B Program, explains the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) oversight functions, and details requirements for the various covered entities, including rural hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Also makes recommendations for clarifying the 340B Program's scope and ensuring program integrity is maintained.
Date: 01/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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MotherToBaby
A no-cost service providing evidence-based information on the benefit or risk of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Provides guidance for healthcare providers and individuals, as well as fact sheets and other materials addressing medications, vaccines, chemicals, herbal products, substance use, maternal health conditions, and more. Also conducts observational studies on exposures.
Sponsoring organization: Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
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A no-cost service providing evidence-based information on the benefit or risk of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Provides guidance for healthcare providers and individuals, as well as fact sheets and other materials addressing medications, vaccines, chemicals, herbal products, substance use, maternal health conditions, and more. Also conducts observational studies on exposures.
Sponsoring organization: Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
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Implementation Toolsets for E-Prescribing
Provides toolsets for supporting e-prescribing implementation, one for physicians in small practices and one for independent pharmacies. The toolkits offer a step-by-step guide to prepare for and launch an e-prescribing system.
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Provides toolsets for supporting e-prescribing implementation, one for physicians in small practices and one for independent pharmacies. The toolkits offer a step-by-step guide to prepare for and launch an e-prescribing system.
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators
The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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PubMed Search: Rural Pharmacy Services
Searches PubMed's collection of journal article citations on pharmacy services in rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Searches PubMed's collection of journal article citations on pharmacy services in rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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RxAssist: Patient Assistance Program Center
Provides a searchable database of patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost prescription medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Includes information for patients and for healthcare providers.
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Provides a searchable database of patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost prescription medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Includes information for patients and for healthcare providers.
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The 340B Prime Vendor Program
Serves as the contractor for the Health Resources and Services Administration 340B Prime Vendor Program. Provides access to discounted medications, education, and compliance needs to nearly 40,000 health centers and hospitals that serve vulnerable populations.
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Serves as the contractor for the Health Resources and Services Administration 340B Prime Vendor Program. Provides access to discounted medications, education, and compliance needs to nearly 40,000 health centers and hospitals that serve vulnerable populations.
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340B Drug Pricing Program
Provides information and updates on the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows certain facilities, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Sole Community Hospitals, Rural Referral Centers, and Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) that meet certain requirements, to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at a reduced cost.
Sponsoring organization: Office of Pharmacy Affairs
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Provides information and updates on the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows certain facilities, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Sole Community Hospitals, Rural Referral Centers, and Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) that meet certain requirements, to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at a reduced cost.
Sponsoring organization: Office of Pharmacy Affairs
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InsureKidsNow.gov
Supplies information on free and low-cost health insurance programs for children, including Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Supplies information on free and low-cost health insurance programs for children, including Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Last Updated: 9/16/2025