NCPA's Pharmacy Ownership Workshop to be held in Richmond

Space is limited for the Pharmacy Ownership Workshop of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), taking place August 20 to 22 at the Holiday Inn Richmond Airport Hotel in Richmond, Va.

This will be the last time the program is offered in 2010. Launched in 1999, it is part of the NCPA Ownership Academy, which helps pharmacists navigate the steps of the entrepreneurial process, from buying to selling a pharmacy, as part of the association’s focus on increasing the number of independent community pharmacy owners throughout the country.

“For many practicing pharmacists and pharmacy students looking into pharmacy ownership, their unfamiliarity with the process often prevents them from taking the plunge,” said Joseph H. Harmison PD, NCPA president and pharmacy owner in Arlington, Texas. “NCPA’s Pharmacy Ownership Workshop provides all the tools necessary to help participants become successful independent community pharmacy owners.’’

Harmison added, “Independent community pharmacy owners pride themselves on the personal touch they provide patients in achieving the best possible health outcomes. NCPA’s Pharmacy Ownership Workshop is our way of providing prospective owners with the personal touch they need to get to their desired outcome.”

The topics covered in the program include:

• Developing and maintaining a successful pharmacy practice
• Creating a successful pharmacy business plan
• Planning for successful growth
• Business owner roles, responsibilities, and management styles
• Comprehensive business startup checklist
• Financial planning for a successful practice
• Understanding the loan approval process
• Determining your pharmacy’s financing needs
• How to market your pharmacy practice
• Assessing technology needs for the pharmacy
• Legal and accounting advice for the beginning owner
• Business experiences of an owner/past workshop grad

A wide variety of experts will participate, including Richard Jackson, professor and director of Mercer’s Center for Community Pharmacy Practice and Research, who has been published in 65 journals and 5 books, and is the editor of NCPA’s widely praised, interactive Effective Pharmacy Management CD-ROM; and Scott Weaver, director of pharmacy, PRS (Pharmacy Relief Services) Pharmacy Services, which helps pharmacies with every aspect of their businesses.

Other experts are Jeff Baird of Brown & Fortunato, P.C., Tim Davis, owner of Beaver Health Mart Pharmacy; Chip Mahan, CEO, Live Bank; Bill Popomaronis, NCPA Vice President of LTC/HHC; Dan Strause, CFO, Greenwoods Financial Group; Liz Tiefenthaler, President, Pharm Fresh Media; and Craig Wear, owner of Wear Drugs.

Registration includes 2 nights’ lodging, 5 meals, tuition, and continuing education processing. To register, either go online to www.ncpanet.org/calendarncpa/index.php or call 1-800-544-7447, extension 2670.