RxOwnership's expanded partnership with NCPA empowers all pharmacists

ORLANDO, Fla. — Expanding its support of independent pharmacy ownership, McKesson’s RxOwnership team has partnered with the National Community Pharmacists Association to sponsor a series of educational programs aimed at current and future pharmacists considering pharmacy ownership at the NCPA Annual Conference here.



“McKesson RxOwnership is dedicated to supporting the future of pharmacy ownership by giving pharmacists the knowledge, support and tools required to achieve their ownership goals,” said Chris Cella, national VP McKesson RxOwnership. “We are particularly excited to expand our partnership with NCPA to include both current and future pharmacists. We feel it is important to empower any and all pharmacists who are interested in owning and operating an independent pharmacy. We are proud to promote programs like this one and our Women in Pharmacy – Own It Program we recently launched.”



The Women in Pharmacy – Own It Program focuses on four key areas: ownership, mentorship, leadership and work/life balance for women. Creating a community of women helping women succeed, the program includes matching pharmacy students with owners and empowering pharmacy ownership.



Serving as the sponsor of the NCPA Pharmacy Ownership Workshops for the eighth year, McKesson added support for the Student Ownership Boot Camp Series. The Pharmacy Ownership Workshop and Student Ownership Boot Camp sessions are designed to provide current pharmacists and pharmacy students with tools to guide them in pharmacy ownership and enhance their current management skills. More than 50% of past Pharmacy Ownership Workshop participants currently own their own pharmacy.



The NCPA’s Student Affairs program fosters interest in community pharmacy ownership and entrepreneurship among the future leaders of their profession. This year, McKesson has sponsored 26 NCPA Foundation Presidential Scholarships, designed to recognize leadership qualities and academic accomplishments.



For the second year, McKesson RxOwnership took part in the official NCPA student education program on Oct. 14. Kim Diemand, VP North Central Region, McKesson RxOwnership, presented “The Importance of a Business Plan to Your Success.” The session reviewed why a business plan is critical to starting and operating an independent pharmacy. RxOwnership is also participating in the Student Chapter Business Card Swap, which gives hundreds of NCPA student members the opportunity to connect with peers and experienced ownership advisors.



In the past year, RxOwnership assisted more than 400 owners in launching a new pharmacy. Since 2008, the RxOwnership team aided in the ownership-transfer process of more than 4,000 pharmacies.