Montezuma Pharmacy under new ownership

       A temporary Medicap Pharmacy banner hangs over the NuCara Pharmacy sign in Montezuma. The pharmacy was recently purchased by OneroRx based in West Des Moines. Photo by Gavin Tindle.

By J.O. Parker

      A long-time Montezuma business now has a new name. NuCara Pharmacy, 323 E. Main St., has been purchased by OneroRx and rebranded as a Medicap Pharmacy. 
       Montezuma is one of 14 pharmacies across the state that has been purchased by OneroRx, a West Des Moines based company. The deal also included the purchase of 10 home medical equipment locations in Iowa and Minnesota. The transition began in early April 2026. The acquired locations now operate under the OneroRx network.
        In addition to Montezuma, other locations acquired include: Ames, Coralville, Greenfield, Grundy Center, Lenox, Marshalltown, Nevada, Pleasant Hill, Story City, Waterloo, West Union, Chariton, Creston, Des Moines and Ottumwa.
        Separate from this acquisition, four other NuCara locations closed in late March 2026. They were located in Ackley, Conrad, Traer and Zearing. 
         The transition is designed to continue services with minimal interruptions, noted a press release.
“OneroRx, which operates as the largest franchise of the Medicap pharmacy brand owned by Cardinal Health, will now become the largest rural-based pharmacy in Iowa filling more than 5 million prescriptions per year, noted the company. The acquisition also positions the company to expand availability and services for HME, meeting a growing demand,” a company press release said. 
       “We are excited to announce the completion of the acquisition of select NuCara pharmacy and home medical stores,” said Joseph Dunham II, CEO and President of OneroRx. “Our focus remains to provide rural access to pharmacy care at affordable prices. This mission began with our founder, John Pappajohn, who served on the OneroRx Board of Directors from 2018 until his passing in 2023.”
        OneroRx began operating pharmacies in May 2021 and now operates 91 locations across eight states. They employ 1000 people. 
         “Montezuma is truly fortunate to have someone investing in and supporting the local drug store. It’s an important local resource that is needed,” said Jacki Bolen, Poweshiek County Supervisor.