NCPA announces 2021 Good Neighbor Pharmacy competition finalists

The National Community Pharmacists Association is announcing the finalists for its 2021 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Plant Competition.

Teams of finalists include students from the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy and the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy.

Each of the three teams will present their business plans in a live competition on Oct. 9, and a winner will be announced on Oct. 10.

“Having an established, solid business plan in place is the key for more easily tackling challenges or unexpected issues that might develop,” NCPA President Brian Caswell, said. “Learning how to develop these plans now will help the students be more equipped and confident pharmacy entrepreneurs in the years to come. I’m proud of all teams participating in this year’s Student Business Plan Competition for their strong work. Best of luck to the finalists from the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy, and the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. We’re looking forward to seeing the students present their plans at NCPA’s Annual Convention in October.”

The purpose of the competition is to motivate students in pharmacy school to create a thought-out plan for either purchasing an existing pharmacy or opening a pharmacy from the ground up, as a way to prepare pharmacy entrepreneurs for a successful future, the organization said.