Twin Cities, MN - For more than 30 years, section 340B of the Public Health Service Act has required drug manufacturers to sell outpatient drugs at discounted prices to certain safety-net hospitals and health care organizations that serve uninsured or low-income patients. 340B-eligible health care providers (called “covered entities”) contract with pharmacies to dispense the discounted drugs — a mutually beneficial relationship that increases revenue for providers and pharmacies. Today, about 40% of retail pharmacies across the country have at least one contract with a 340B-eligible health care provider.  

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) examines recent trends in the relationship between pharmacies and 340B-eligible covered entities (CEs). The study takes an in-depth look at pharmacies’ relationship with health care providers by developing new measures to describe alternative forms of contract pharmacy growth beyond simple participation rates.  

Specifically, the study looked at how pharmacies’ involvement with 340B has changed between 2009 and 2022 in three key metrics developed by the researchers:

• Depth, which measures the number of contracts each pharmacy in the US holds.
• Spread, which measures how far pharmacies are geographically from the covered entity.
• Safety-net composition, which is the proportion of a pharmacy's contracts that are with covered entities that are "essential community providers", as measured by the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Payment and Access Commission.    

The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, found:

• The overall number of pharmacies participating in 340B increased dramatically, from 789 in 2009 to 25,775 in 2022. In 2009, 1.3% of retail pharmacies participated in 340B, compared to 40.9% in 2022.
• Depth increased. In 2009, 81% of retail pharmacies had only one contract, and by 2022, 40% had one, 23% had two, 27% had three to five, 7% had six to nine, and 3% had 10 or more.
• Spread also increased. In 2009, the farthest CE was within the same zip code for 48% of pharmacies. By 2022, only 9% of CEs were in the same zip code.
• Safety-net composition decreased. In 2009, 95% of pharmacies contracted exclusively with safety-net hospitals and clinics. By 2022, only 54% of pharmacies contracted exclusively with safety-net facilities, and 16% contracted with no safety-net facilities.

“The 340B Drug Pricing Program aims to improve access to care for patients who rely on the health care safety net,” said Sayeh Nikpay, SPH associate professor and lead author of the study. “Historically this program has involved the hospitals and their clinics that participate in the program. However, our study documents that pharmacies are playing a growing role in the program. Whether this growing participation furthers the program’s goals of increasing access to the care for patients who rely on the safety-net has yet to be seen.”  

Limitations of the study include the lack of data on the volume of 340B drugs dispensed through retail pharmacies, which would have allowed the researchers to differentiate contracts by profitability. Also, the study’s focus on retail pharmacies meant that data on mail-order and specialty pharmacies was not included. Nikpay is currently working on research that would address specialty and mail-order pharmacies. 

WALTHAM, MA - The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) recently revised General Chapters <795>, <797>, and <800> that dictate compliance standards for sterile and nonsterile pharmaceutical compounding, with enforcement starting November 1, 2023. But as this date draws near, only 31% of pharmacies are prepared for full compliance with the 2023 USP 797 reference standards. Taking action to ensure compliance amid this transition, Midwest Surgical Hospital has selected Wolters Kluwer Health’s Simplifi 797^® technology, alongside the full Simplifi+^® Pharmacy Compliance suite of solutions, to replace manual processes and support patient safety at its 25-bed ambulatory surgical center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Improving documentation efficiency to uplevel pharmacy teams

Prior to this shift, Midwest Surgical was utilizing paper-based records in its pharmacy for compounding documentation and medication inventory management across the facility. This placed an extreme administrative burden on pharmacists and led to inefficiency in medication compounding practices. By implementing the full suite of Simplifi+ Pharmacy Compliance solutions, including Simplifi 797, Simplifi+ MedTrays and Simplifi+ MedStorage, Midwest Surgical can proactively manage USP compliance, medication storage, and emergency cart medication inventory on one common platform.

“Pharmacists are an underutilized resource in many health systems and healthcare centers, and this is largely due to the inability to extract them from the daily documentation and minutiae in the pharmacy. With a lean pharmacy team, we’re always looking for ways to streamline our processes – and ultimately their workloads,” said Michael Labadie, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at Midwest Surgical Hospital. “By bringing in automated solutions from Wolters Kluwer, we are able to minimize our manual documentation, limit medication waste, and allow our pharmacists to become more involved in patient care needs.”

“Healthcare facilities are being pushed to find new efficiencies in their current processes to balance increasing regulatory scrutiny and patient care responsibilities” - Karen Kobelski, Vice President and General Manager of Clinical Surveillance Compliance & Data Solutions, Wolters Kluwer Health

Midwest Surgical compounds many of its intraoperative medications on-site and, in light of the latest USP guidelines, was looking for a solution that would allow them to worry less about documentation requirements and focus on patient care. With Simplifi 797 in place, their pharmacy team now has a comprehensive view of their compounding compliance, including where they can take action to make improvements in real-time. The fully automated platform and expert guidance ensures the proper documentation is in place in case of a regulatory audit and allows for better tracking of wasted medication volumes, allowing their team to optimize compounding based on current usage levels.

“Healthcare facilities are being pushed to find new efficiencies in their current processes to balance increasing regulatory scrutiny and patient care responsibilities,” said Karen Kobelski, Vice President and General Manager of Clinical Surveillance Compliance & Data Solutions, Wolters Kluwer Health. “By using our Simplifi+ suite, Dr. Labadie and his team at Midwest Surgical are creating a more agile and efficient backbone for their pharmacy, allowing them to quickly onboard new staff, focus on patient programs, or navigate a regulatory inspection with ease.”

Beyond medication compounding, Simplifi+ MedTrays and Simplifi+ MedStorage enable the surgery center to more easily and efficiently manage medication stored throughout the facility. Simplifi+ MedTrays automates and standardizes emergency cart restocking to ensure accuracy and optimize the utilization of short-dated drugs. By automating inventory checklists, Simplifi+ MedStorage ensures medications stored across the facility are safe for patient use and achieve compliance standards so teams are inspection-ready.

Visit Wolters Kluwer Health’s website to learn more about the Simplifi+ Pharmacy Compliance suite.

Clark, NJ – SoftWriters, Inc., the industry leader in long-term care (LTC) pharmacy technology, has announced a partnership with SDS Rx, the leading national provider of last-mile logistics solutions for the healthcare industry. This strategic alliance aims to streamline the delivery process for long-term care pharmacies by integrating SDS Rx’s cutting-edge technology with SoftWriters’ renowned long-term care pharmacy management software.

The integration will enable SDS and SoftWriters to seamlessly exchange all relevant Proof of Delivery (POD) data at the packing slip level, track delivery schedules, and confirm delivery status in real-time. The improved packing slip level data connectivity and POD association at the prescription level in FrameworkLTC will dramatically improve accountability and regulatory compliance. In addition, the integration will also support a more accurate and efficient delivery process, leading to heightened customer satisfaction and optimized pharmacy operations.

“We are thrilled to partner with SoftWriters to provide a seamless, end-to-end delivery solution for long-term care pharmacies,” said Drew Kronick, CEO of SDS Rx. “Our cutting-edge technology and logistics expertise combined with SoftWriters’ industry-leading software will revolutionize the way long-term care pharmacies operate. Our partnership will enhance efficiency, simplify compliance, and elevate patient care, creating an unparalleled customer experience for our clients.”

The synergistic combination of SDS Rx’s advanced technology and SoftWriters’ premier software empowers long-term care pharmacies to manage the delivery process with unprecedented precision and accuracy, thereby minimizing errors and enhancing patient safety. The integrated solution will be made available to FrameworkLTC customers through the FrameworkCourier API.

“Partnering with SDS Rx provides our customers with an innovative solution that streamlines their delivery process and optimizes overall operations,” stated Scott Beatty, President of SoftWriters, “By leveraging our collective strengths, we can offer a comprehensive solution tailored to the unique needs and challenges of long-term care pharmacies.”

Overall, the partnership between SDS Rx and SoftWriters represents another transformative step towards revolutionizing the delivery process for long-term care pharmacies. Through their combined expertise, they are committed to delivering exceptional value, operational efficiency, and outstanding customer experiences to their clients.

BROOMFIELD, CO - Swisslog Healthcare, a global industry leader in pharmacy and transport automation solutions, is hosting a free webinar designed to help central pharmacy leaders and healthcare executives realize the benefits of implementing consolidated service centers (CSCs), sometimes also called integrated service centers (ISCs), as part of their thought leadership sharing. The "CSCs & ISCs with SMEs" webinar will be held on November 1, 2023, at 1 PM EDT and will feature discussions from industry subject matter experts (SMEs) about the challenges, benefits, and best practices for centralizing supply chain and pharmacy operations at consolidated service centers.

A study from Swisslog Healthcare showed that healthcare facilities that implemented CSCs of all sizes saw improved inventory management and streamlined procurement processes. The study found that hospitals and healthcare systems are increasingly challenged to manage growing patient access demands, rising drug costs, increased regulatory oversight and outcomes-based reimbursement programs. With CSCs, hospitals and healthcare systems are enabled to automate and centrally manage inventory and associated management processes for all supply chain and ancillary support services.

"Central pharmacies are traditionally considered a significant cost center in healthcare facilities, so they feel pressure to contribute to cost-cutting mandates; however, they can’t sacrifice service levels or compromise medication availability," said Jon Brown, webinar panelist and Director of Pharmacy System Operations and Logistics for Indiana University Health. "Our discussion focuses on how healthcare facilities can better streamline these processes to help address those issues. When done right, healthcare facilities can simplify processes, minimize costly waste, and refocus their teams back toward patient-facing work."

The "CSCs & ISCs with SMEs" webinar is one of many thought leadership offerings from Swisslog Healthcare designed to enable healthcare facilities to lead change for better patient care outcomes. Notably, Swisslog Healthcare has offered webinars featuring various industry experts discussing topics such as combatting labor shortages, maneuvering through digital transformation, and more.

"Ultimately, our goal is to better support our customers in their efforts to provide the best possible care for their patients," said Lindsey DeFendi, webinar panelist and Region Director from Swisslog Healthcare. "As an industry leader in healthcare automation, we have the opportunity to improve the healthcare industry as a whole. If we can provide best practices for implementing streamlined technologies and processes, we can help our customers deliver quality care for their patients."

Swisslog Healthcare is dedicated to optimizing workflows inside the complex systems of healthcare facilities, and particularly for those seeking to build or optimize a CSC. To learn more about Swisslog Healthcare and how its automation technology enables healthcare workers to deliver better patient care, visit Swisslog-Healthcare.com. To register for this webinar or watch it on demand after it airs on November 1^st, visit Swisslog Healthcare’s webinar webpage.

OSWEGO, NY - Oswego Health makes it a priority to recognize staff for their hard work and commitment to the organization and its patients. One key staff member who continues to shine and has truly stepped up is Sarah Driscoll.

Driscoll has been promoted to Director of Pharmacy at Oswego Health. Driscoll started at Oswego Health as a Staff Pharmacist in 2013, before transitioning in 2015 to the Pharmacy Operations Supervisor. In June of 2023 she was named Interim Director of Pharmacy.

Born and raised in Oswego, NY, Driscoll graduated with a Doctorate in Pharmacy in 2013 from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She has been a preceptor for the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy, Albany College of Pharmacy, and St. John Fisher School of Pharmacy.

As the Director of Pharmacy, Driscoll will manage and direct the operations of the department to ensure that quality pharmaceutical services are provided to patients, in accordance with the mission and values of Oswego Health. Overseeing a department of seventeen, including six Pharmacists, Driscoll is looking forward to strengthening her team’s collaboration with providers and expanding the antibiotics stewardship program within the community.

The Oswego Hospital Pharmacy serves patients within the hospital, Fulton and Central Square Urgent Cares, Seneca Hill Manor, Lobdell Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Lakeview, as well as Physician Care, PC.

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ - BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today announced it has been named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by 3BL, which recognizes outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among 1,000 of the largest U.S. public companies. This year, BD ranked second in the health care equipment and services industry.

"As a global organization serving health systems in nearly 200 countries around the world, we are contributing meaningful, positive change on the global societal and environmental issues most relevant to our business, customers and stakeholders," said Tom Polen, chairman, CEO and president of BD. "As we've done throughout our history, we continue to build on these contributions to enable a healthier, more equitable world - from minimizing our environmental footprint to empowering an inclusive workforce, and advancing health equity and access in under-resourced areas of the world."

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on 184 ESG factors in seven pillars – climate change, employee relations, environment, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance.

Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL said, "Achieving the transformational targets of the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals in this decisive decade requires all companies to truly embed ESG issues into the core of their business. The 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2023 are answering the call by demonstrating the societal and bottom-line value of leadership and transparency around ESG topics. They are setting ambitious goals outlining robust strategies for achieving them, disclosing data to measure progress."

BD continues to be recognized for its commitment to being an employer of choice, transparency and progress toward the company's 2030 ESG goals. For more information about these awards, visit news.bd.com/Award-news.

Amazon will soon make prescription drugs fall from the sky when the e-commerce giant becomes the latest company to test drone deliveries for medications.

The company said Wednesday that customers in College Station, Texas, can now get prescriptions delivered by a 

The drone, programmed to fly from a delivery center with a secure pharmacy, will travel to the customer’s address, descend to a height of about four meters — or 13 feet — and drop a padded package.

Amazon says customers will be able to choose from more than 500 medications, a list that includes common treatments for conditions like the flu or pneumonia, but not controlled substances.

The company's Prime Air division began testing drone deliveries of common household items last December in College Station and Lockeford, California. Amazon spokesperson Jessica Bardoulas said the company has made thousands of deliveries since launching the service, and is expanding it to include prescriptions based in part on customer requests.

ORLANDO, FL – The National Community Pharmacists Association on Sunday announced a major new legal initiative for pharmacies that have been victimized by the unconscionable behavior of the largest pharmacy benefit managers that NCPA says have made billions in back-end penalties in violation of the law.

“PBMs shouldn't be able to make assessing junk DIR fees against competing pharmacies a multi-billion dollar cottage industry that puts their competition out of business and compromises patient care,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “It’s completely anti-competitive, and we’re fighting back.”

NCPA is creating a limited liability company, called TRUST LLC, which will investigate and, when appropriate, litigate or arbitrate on behalf of community pharmacies to recover coerced price concessions, otherwise known as pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees. NCPA believes DIR fees were assessed by the PBMs and insurance plans in violation of federal antitrust law and state contract laws. It’s the second major legal effort announced in the past several weeks. In September, the group applauded a class-action lawsuit against CVS Health, CVS Caremark, and Aetna brought by an independent pharmacist from Iowa who is also a member of NCPA.

“These companies have nearly unlimited resources and it’s almost impossible for a single independent pharmacy to fight them alone. The way the contracts are set up, arbitration for claims like these can top $1,000,000 for a single pharmacy. NCPA’s efforts allow independent pharmacies to assign their claims to TRUST LLC to fight the PBMs together,” said Hoey. “It’s still not an even playing field, but we have a much better chance of getting justice if we join forces.”

TRUST LLC has retained the law firms of Berger Montague PC, Cohen & Gresser LLP, and Baker Donelson to lead the litigation. Berger Montague and Cohen & Gresser are the firms that filed the class-action lawsuit against CVS Health in federal court last month.

“Community pharmacists are indispensable providers of health care in communities across the United States,” said Katie Funk, a partner with Baker Donelson. “We look forward to working with NCPA to expose the unconscionable PBM practices that are driving up costs, eliminating patient choice, and driving community pharmacies out of business.”

NCPA made the announcement at its annual convention, this year taking place in Orlando, Fla. To learn more about the TRUST, please visit www.fightPBMs.com.

ORLANDO, FL – HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition and Health Connect Partners are thrilled to announce the launch of a highly anticipated Hosted Buyer Program at the HIMSS24 event in Orlando. This innovative initiative is set to elevate the attendee and exhibitor experience to new heights, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and business development within the dynamic healthcare technology sector.

HIMSS24, scheduled to take place March 11-15, in Orlando, is the most prestigious gathering in healthcare IT, attracting over 33,000 professionals and thought leaders from around the world who are creating tomorrow’s health. This year, the introduction of the Hosted Buyer Program aims to facilitate focused meetings between providers looking for solutions and the most innovative and trusted companies in healthcare IT.

The Hosted Buyer Program offers a unique platform for healthcare providers and other key decision-makers to connect with leading solution providers and technology innovators in a curated and productive environment. Participants in this program will benefit from:

Exclusive Matchmaking: HIMSS24 is partnering with Health Connect Partners to pair select buyers with exhibitors who align with their specific interests, ensuring the most productive conversations and meaningful interactions.

VIP Access: Hosted buyers will enjoy VIP treatment, including expedited registration, access to an exclusive Hosted Buyers area on the show floor with dedicated concierge services

Time Management: A series of focused, one-on-one meetings

Curated Exploration: By participating in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with top information and technology suppliers, hosted buyers can explore potential partnerships to improve patient experience, new technologies and more

"We are excited to introduce the Hosted Buyer Program at HIMSS24 in collaboration with Health Connect Partners, as it represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to connect executive buyers with the latest advancements in healthcare technology," said Elli Riley, Vice President, HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition. "This program is designed to foster collaboration, connection, and business growth at HIMSS24."

David Mason, Founder and CEO of Health Connect Partners added, “We are pleased to partner with HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition to manage the Hosted Buyer program. We have been conducting Hosted Buyer events since our inception in 2006 and have served the Hospital IT market since 2011.  This is a great partnership, and we look forward to adding value to the already successful HIMSS Global event starting in March of 2024.”

Applications for the Hosted Buyer Program at HIMSS24 are now open. Apply for the program as part of your event registration. Interested healthcare professionals are encouraged to register and apply early to secure their spot in this exclusive program.

HIMSS24 exhibitors interested in participating in the Hosted Buyer Program should contact their account manager or email salesinfo@himss.org

Learn more about HIMSS24. Join the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn with #HIMSS24 or by following @HIMSS. 

The pharmacy profession has become increasingly dominated by women over the past decade. Since 2012, women have accounted for more than half of the U.S. pharmacy workforce, according to Zippia, an online recruitment services company. Women pharmacists occupy nearly 60% of management positions, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Data from AACP also shows that this trend is expected to continue – women represented two-thirds of all students enrolling in pharmacy school in the fall of 2022.

Yet, despite the ground women have gained in the pharmacy field, they are still underrepresented in pharmacy ownership. Women own only 25% of independent pharmacies, according to the AACP’s National Pharmacy Workforce Study. As the role of the pharmacist continues to expand and patient demand for clinical services increases, Cardinal Health is working to empower the next generation of women pharmacy owners.

On this Women in Pharmacy Day, we are highlighting a selection of the many pharmacists we have supported through our efforts to inspire future women pharmacy owners, empower women stepping into pharmacy leadership, and champion the women pharmacy leaders guiding the next generation.

Empowering women pharmacy owners in Puerto Rico

Five years ago, Cardinal Health Puerto Rico established a Women in Pharmacy chapter to support and develop the next generation of women pharmacy owners.

"The Puerto Rico Women in Pharmacy chapter works to foster connections and provide resources to women pharmacy school graduates,” said Carla Fernandez, SVP/GM of Cardinal Health Puerto Rico. “Each year, we host several events designed to inspire and motivate future pharmacists to embark on the ownership journey. We established an annual forum for members and each year, we manage to impact and influence more people.”

Chapter programming focuses on education, networking and best-practice sharing. The organization also connects women pharmacy school graduates with a supportive network of peers to guide them on the path to ownership.

While the School of Pharmacy Puerto Rico reports that 66% of pharmacy school graduates in Puerto Rico are women, purchasing group data shows that women represent only 45% of independent pharmacy owners. Retail independent pharmacies are prevalent in Puerto Rico, with nearly 850 locations generating more than 14,000 jobs, according to a report from the Puerto Rico Community Pharmacies Association ­– indicating plenty of opportunity to increase the number of women who own pharmacies. 

"At Cardinal Health, we want to develop a new generation of women business owners to manage healthcare on our island," said Michelle Montalvo, VP of Pharmaceutical Sales & Marketing, Puerto Rico, who serves as the sponsor for the Puerto Rico Women in Pharmacy chapter.

In August 2023, the chapter hosted a highly successful event during the College of Pharmacy of Puerto Rico’s annual convention, with more than 250 attendees. Thirty-three of the attendees expressed interest in purchasing a community pharmacy within the next three years.

Lifting up “rookies” and offering support

Each year, Medicine Shoppe International, Inc., a Cardinal Health company, presents the Rookie of the Year award to new franchisees who have joined the system within the past 18-24 months and have demonstrated a commitment to becoming a healthcare destination for families and communities. This year’s recipient, Jennifer Seltzer, PharmD, made the transition from Pharmacist-in-Charge at The Medicine Shoppe® Pharmacy in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to owner in 2022.

“I decided that I wanted to transition to become an owner at least 10 years ago. I had been working toward it mentally for years,” said Seltzer. “I am not a risk taker, so it took encouragement from my husband and my girls (ages 10 and 12), who help out at the pharmacy where they can. They were completely on board with having a part of something we could really call our own and something that would support the community.”

When it came time for the transition to ownership, Seltzer said that having the support of her Cardinal Health Franchise Business Consultant, Rich Townsend, as well as support from Cardinal Health™ Pharmacy Transition Services made the process easier. Through Cardinal Health, Seltzer also gained access to networking opportunities that helped her form meaningful mentorships with other pharmacy owners.

“The Cardinal Health team helped answer all my questions and facilitate the big things that needed to happen to make the transition,” she said. “They were able to connect me with the key people I needed to have conversations with.”

Seltzer’s advice to other women seeking to become pharmacy owners is to recognize the opportunities and guidance available to them.

“I would encourage them to move towards ownership and know that we live in a time where there are a ton of resources out there. With support from the Cardinal Health transition team and others in the company, there will be people there to help you. I hope someday there are more women pharmacy owners because we’re very good at what we do,” Seltzer said.

After the first year and a half of ownership, Seltzer continues to add more and more services, including compounding, compliance packaging, durable medical equipment, COVID-19 vaccines and testing, and prescription delivery. She sees herself continuing to expand the services she offers well into the future.

“I’m always looking for the next thing that will help independent pharmacy. Some of the most successful pharmacists I know – men and women – that’s how they operate as well. Twenty years from now, I’ll still be here sitting at my desk, looking for the next thing in independent pharmacy,” she said.

Providing opportunities for the next generation

Recognizing the achievements of today’s women pharmacy leaders can help to inspire the next generation. Research published by the Review of General Psychology shows that having a woman as a role model can help expand the perception of what is possible, inspire women to be more ambitious, and demonstrate the mindset and behaviors that can help women advance.

Brandi Ollerman, PharmD, owner of The Medicine Shoppe® Pharmacy in Dickinson, North Dakota, serves as a role model for those entering the pharmacy field in her community, and has developed a successful training program to help young students – men and women.  

“I am a mom, a wife, pharmacist and pharmacy owner,” said Ollerman. “Leading by example, my hope is that I will encourage and inspire other young women interested in pharmacy to take the leap into this rewarding career and maybe even become pharmacy owners themselves someday.”

When approached about having local students come to her pharmacy to learn about the industry, Ollerman saw an opportunity to both support the next generation of pharmacists and address her need for pharmacy technicians.

After students shadowed her staff at the pharmacy, Ollerman took the opportunity a step further by reaching out to local schools offering Pharmacy Technician certifications. She partnered with an interested teacher to establish a pharmacy technician education program. Ollerman sought out necessary authorization from the State Board of Pharmacy and worked with local schools to ensure students could receive class credit. Rallying together her community, schools and local leaders, Ollerman has established pharmacy technician training partnerships with area high schools, trade schools and state programs. This year, the program has expanded to two additional pharmacies, adding two more students at locations in Southwestern North Dakota.

“The program helped to address previous staffing challenges at The Medicine Shoppe® Pharmacy and gives students experience working in the pharmacy. It provides an alternative to the traditional four-year degree and gives the students a stepping stone into pharmacy school or an opportunity to have a fulfilling career as a pharmacy technician,” Ollerman said. “We love to share our love of pharmacy, and whether they stay and work as a technician or continue their education to become a pharmacist, it is a win-win for us.”

In May 2022, one of the first students to come through the program earned her pharmacy technician certification. The student has enrolled in pharmacy school and still comes back to help out when she is visiting on school breaks. Another pharmacy student received her certificate in May 2023.

“Working beside our staff, sharing decision making and including them in day-to-day activities allows students to have an inside view of pharmacy, as well as the work-family balancing act – the good, the great and the chaos,” said Ollerman. “They see the relationships created with patients and staff and they can start creating their own experiences and building those relationships.”

Across the U.S., women pharmacists and healthcare leaders are working together to provide education, networking, support, and opportunities that open pathways to ownership and future careers in pharmacy. Cardinal Health is proud to recognize the outstanding work these women are doing – on Women in Pharmacy Day, and every other day of the year. 

This story was originally published on the Cardinal Health Newsroom.