IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Last week, representatives from more than 2,100 independent pharmacies came together for the first time in three years at the 2022 McKesson ideaShare conference in Washington, D.C. The annual conference, which is hosted by McKesson Corporation, Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas, is the leading community pharmacy conference designed to help independent pharmacy owners and their staff improve their knowledge, performance and profitability. This year’s meeting, which offered attendees an in-depth focus on the future of independent pharmacy, included sessions on pharmacy operations, methods to attract new patients, innovative solutions and public policy issues.

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“The pharmaceutical industry is in a unique position as the role of pharmacists in patient care evolves. The timely insights and tangible skills independent pharmacy owners and their staff gained at McKesson ideaShare will help support them through challenges they may face in today’s landscape and ultimately, help enable them to serve more patients and advance care outcomes,” said Eyad Farah, president of Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas.

Bunch Pharmacy Awarded Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year

At the event, Health Mart presented the Pharmacy of the Year award, which recognizes a pharmacy for excellence in innovation and a commitment to community health. This year’s award, which was voted on by pharmacy peers, was awarded to Bunch Pharmacy in Guntersville, Ala. For the past 24 years, pharmacy owner Buddy Bunch, Registered Pharmacist, Pharmacist-in-Charge, has led the pharmacy with a service mindset, whether with patients, in the community or advocating for the pharmacy industry. Mr. Bunch is also the President for the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and works with legislators to lobby for positive reform.

For the first time, McKesson ideaShare attendees chose the winner during a live vote onsite from a selection of three finalists. Additional finalists were CS Family Pharmacy in Carol Stream, Ill. and Sam’s Health Mart Pharmacy in Moberly, Mo.

CDM Drugs Recognized as Harbinger for Future of Community Pharmacy

Health Mart also presented the Innovation Award at McKesson ideaShare. The newly created award recognizes a Health Mart pharmacy for innovative offerings that exceed the standard of pharmacy care, in business operations or clinical services. CDM Drugs, located in Corona del Mar, Calif., received this year’s Health Mart Innovation Award. Since buying CDM Drugs in 2015, owner Laleh Ford, Pharm. D., Pharmacist-in-Charge, revitalized the business and has continually produced annual organic growth. CDM Drugs has achieved prestigious designations including Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) Accreditation as a specialty pharmacy and the Verified Pharmacy Program (VPP) Accreditation from National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) for compounding. These accreditations enable Mrs. Ford and her team to design tailored formulations to meet specific patient needs.

Save the Date

Building off the success of this year’s annual conference, McKesson ideaShare will return next year in Las Vegas from June 22-25, 2023.

About Health Mart

Health Mart^® is one of the nation’s leading independent pharmacy franchise with approximately 4,600 community pharmacies located across the United States. Health Mart pharmacists provide personalized care and take the time to help patients understand their prescription-drug coverage, how to safely manage multiple medications, and how to take advantage of lower-cost medication options. Patients can find a Health Mart pharmacy by visiting healthmart.com.

As an important member of the healthcare team, Health Mart pharmacists collaborate with patients and other healthcare providers to help patients manage and improve their health. The Health Mart franchise is owned by Health Mart Systems, Inc., which is part of McKesson Corporation. Pharmacists and pharmacy owners interested in learning more can explore join.healthmart.com.

About Health Mart Atlas

Health Mart Atlas™ is a market-leading managed-care solution leveraged by more than 6,100 small and medium community-based pharmacies nationwide. It provides pharmacies with access to narrow networks through strategic contracting, increases pharmacy efficiencies through consolidated reimbursement processes, and delivers the tools needed to help pharmacies remain top clinical performers.

As a managed-care solution that supports community pharmacies, Health Mart Atlas provides the expertise and tools needed to help pharmacies have continued access to patients and the right networks to compete in the evolving market. Health Mart Atlas is a joint venture between McKesson Corporation and American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

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