Arete Pharmacy Network, Topco announce partnership

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Pharmacy Services administrative organization Arete Pharmacy Network and regional grocery store and wholesaler cooperative Topco are working together to make it easier for Topco members to build relationships with payers.

The collaborative venture will allow Topco’s member pharmacies to work as a unified entity in pursuing contracts with payers, creating a new grocery chain contracting option for payers that will serve as a network of pharmacies with national coverage.

“The relationship with Topco is centered on the importance of building and maintaining a high-performing quality network of pharmacies,” Arete CEO Rob  McMahan said. “Topco and its member pharmacy organizations show a strong focus in this area, and the strategic alignment between our organizations became apparent very early in the conversations about a potential partnership. The entire team at Arete has embraced the opportunity to work with like-minded regional grocers.”

Topco said that its members would benefit from aggregation, which it said will bring increased flexibility and sustainable competitive advantage. Topco’s member pharmacies will use Arete’s managed care contracting expertise to market a national network of pharmacies with high quality ratings and differentiated care delivery. They also will have access to Arete’s Quality Center, a web-based performance toolkit.

“Topco’s collaboration with Arete Pharmacy Network delivers the scale our members need to gain access to a broader network of patients,” Topco president and CEO Randy Skoda said. By partnering together to increase our network, Topco member pharmacies will be able to more effectively compete in their respective markets, and better serve their customers and communities,” said Randy Skoda, president & CEO of Topco Associates.”