NCPA, GNP name three finalists for Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Teams of pharmacy students from three universities have been named finalists in the Good Neighbor Pharmacy National Community Pharmacists Association's Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition, NCPA announced Tuesday. The finalists are from Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, University at Buffalo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.

The Business Plan Competition is named to honor two champions of independent community pharmacy, the late Neil Pruitt Sr. and the late Joseph Schutte. The goal of the competition is to motivate pharmacy students to create a business model for buying an existing independent community pharmacy or developing a new pharmacy. Through this competition, NCPA is better able to prepare tomorrow’s pharmacy entrepreneurs for a successful future.

“The growing interest in independent pharmacy among students is extremely exciting," stated Robert Greenwood, NCPA president. "It is encouraging to see so many pharmacy students with an interest in exploring entrepreneurial opportunities in pharmacy through the competition."

“It is a meaningful way to promote independent community pharmacy ownership," added Steve Collis, president and CEO of AmerisourceBergen, whose Good Neighbor Pharmacy program is the primary sponsor of the competition. "The business plan competition offers the type of constructive, real-world experience that will provide students with the confidence and knowledge to become successful pharmacy owners."

Team members and the adviser for the three finalist teams will receive complimentary registration, travel and lodging to NCPA's 113th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 8 to 12, where they will compete for first, second and third place in a live competition. For the recipient of first place, $3,000 will be given to the NCPA student chapter and $3,000 contributed to the school in the dean's name to promote independent pharmacy. Second place will award $2,000 each to the NCPA student chapter and to the pharmacy school, and third place $1,000.

The competition is supported by Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Pharmacists Mutual Companies and the NCPA Foundation.