A local pharmacy chain has announced the impending closure of all but two of its locations in the region.

In a Facebook post Saturday, Mainline Pharmacy announced “with a heavy heart” that nine of their 11 locations would be closing.

The post explains that even though Mainline Pharmacy filled more prescriptions in 2023 than in any of its 40-plus years in business, it is receiving less in reimbursements by Pharmacy Benefit Managers than what it costs the pharmacy to purchase medications from wholesalers on more than 30% of prescriptions filled. In the first six weeks of 2024, Mainline filled 17,574 prescriptions for a loss that amounts to more than $350,000, the post states.

The post further said that one full day’s worth of profitable prescriptions was often not enough to offset even one unprofitable prescription filled due to a PBM’s low reimbursement rate.

Mainline said its plight is similar to thousands of independent pharmacies that have been forced to close across the country and credited customer loyalty as well as its employees’ hard work as “the main reasons we have managed to hold out as long as we have.”

The post said that the company feels like it is letting its loyal customers down, but “unfortunately, we have reached a point where continuing operations in the current climate is no longer viable.”

The following locations will close at the end of their business day on the listed date:

— Mainline Pharmacy Ebensburg, 3720 New Germany Road, will close March 4.

— Mainline Pharmacy Hastings, 317 Beaver St., will close March 5.

— Mainline Pharmacy Portage, 619 Main St., will close March 5.

— Mainline Pharmacy Altoona, 1667 Bellemeade Drive, will close March 6.

— Mainline Pharmacy Cresson, 1207 Second St., will close March 12.

— Mainline Pharmacy Nanty Glo, 1049 Shoemaker St., will close March 13.

Mainline Pharmacy locations in Blairsville, Harrison City and Davidsville will also close. Mainline Pharmacy Somerset and Mainline Pharmacy Long Term Care in Nanty Glo will remain open. These locations have different partnerships that operate outside of the traditional PBM model which will allow them to stay open, the post stated.

Customers’ records and prescriptions will be transferred to the Rite Aid pharmacy closest to the Mainline Pharmacy location they used, but any Rite Aid location will be able to retrieve customers’ profiles. Customer profiles will be available at Rite Aid one day after the date of each store closure, according to Mainline Pharmacy.

Mainline Pharmacy encouraged customers to contact local representatives, stating, “unless regulatory actions are taken to address the practices of PBMs, the future of independent retail pharmacies is bleak.”

Mainline also encouraged customers to call their local Mainline location to refill any medications before the closure.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the impact it may have on you and your loved ones,” the post stated. “The overwhelming support from the community over the past 40+ years has been heartwarming, and we have cherished the opportunity to serve you all.”