Vendors talk about what Cardinal Health RBC means for them - Part 2
ScriptPro — Kevin and Lauren Combs
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Kevin Combs, VP sales: We get a chance to talk to our independent customers, and Cardinal has been doing this show for years. We also get a chance to showcase some of our more popular products.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
KC: Our first clients were independent clients, and they're a critical focal point to our business. If independents stay in business, we stay in business.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
KC: Pharmacy is changing rapidly, and for you to really continue to grow your business, you really need to embrace technology.
2. Bio-Oil
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Carolyn Harrington, consultant: Exposure to pharmacists of our products, and orders.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
CH: Our product is sold over the counter at practically all pharmacies, and independents are just as important as the big stores. If a patient comes up to a pharmacist asking, what would you recommend for scars, they can say we have Bio-Oil.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
CH: Bio-Oil is a wonderful, multi-use skin oil. We hope you'll not only refer your customers to it, but we appreciate that you'll make a profit from it.
3. Upsher-Smith — Karri Theis Tabitha Smith
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Karri Theis, retail account representative: Promoting our products and our product lines at Upsher-Smith, meeting a lot of the customers we don't get to see, and face-to-face interaction.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
KT: They're very important. Some of our mainstay products are sold to independents. They're a big piece of our business, just as much as the big chains. A lot of the independent pharmacists have more time to focus on the patient, and we appreciate that at Upsher-Smith.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
KT: I would thank them for their business and thank them for attending this show.
4. Roxane Labs
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Steven Simone, senior product manager: We're here to support our customer, Cardinal. We want to spend some time with our Cardinal affiliates.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
SS: Many of our products are sold through independents and wholesalers like Cardinal. Independents dispense more medications than most people realize.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
SS: Thank you for your support. It's been a pleasure serving you.
5. PharmaSmart — Danielle Mariano Stephen Hutton
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Danielle Mariano, director of business development, US: Well, obviously we enjoy coming to the trade shows because it allows us to connect not only with our existing customers, but find potential new customers. We get that face-to-face element.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
Steve Hutton, pharmacy services team leader: Honestly, they're extremely important to our business. I admire them. They're entrepreneurs. We customize our kiosks for them. They're the lifeblood of our company. They're definitely very important to us.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
DM: I think we'd just say we're grateful for all the people who attend the shows. I think we've seen about 90% of the people here, and it's great they take the time to come.
6. PharmaCare US
DSN: Given that it's such a commitment of time and money to come to a conference like RBC, what do you hope to accomplish here?
Kimberly Weld, VP sales and marketing: Since a high proportion of independents display better brand loyalty, we find they really believe in a brand and are willing to recommend it to their customers. They are interested in recommending something that works, not just something they get a higher profit margin on.
DSN: How are independents important to your business?
KW: They have a real interest in the science behind a product and are willing to recommend something that really works.
DSN: What's a message you would like to send to attendees?
KW: I think [that] we appreciate the service that independents are providing to their community.