SPECIAL FEATURE

Awards, Health Mart Expansion in McKesson's Spotlight

When McKesson Corporation held its big Pharmacy Strategies Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas, among the highlights was the announcement that the company plans to expand its Health Mart franchise "into the nation's number one independent pharmacy network, unifying leading independents under a common brand."

The announcement asserted that Health Mart is already the fastest-growing pharmacy franchise in the U.S., and that the network "levels the playing field for independent pharmacies" by providing its members with the resources and national strength they need to more effectively compete with the chains and mail-order pharmacy.

The company said the program offers "a fundamentally unique franchise model" that delivers national strength, protection and other benefits with no sign-up costs and no binding commitment. Franchisees pay a low monthly fee, which is not tied to revenue, and have the security of a three-month "out" clause, which can be exercised at any time, without penalty.

According to Stefan Linn, Health Mart president and senior vice president of marketing, McKesson Pharmaceutical, "Most independent pharmacies compete very successfully in their local markets but find it challenging to compete on a national level, such as negotiating contracts with pharmacy benefit managers, partnering with manufacturers to grow front-end sales, and ensuring that their voices are heard in Washington, D.C.

"Health Mart empowers independents to overcome these challenges - to enjoy the benefits of a nationally recognized brand, while still focusing on what they do best - providing high-touch, personal care," Linn added.

Over the past 12 months, the Health Mart franchise program has grown by more than 50 percent, McKesson said, with thousands of additional stores expected to be added over the next year.

Another major highlight of the Las Vegas gathering was the announcement of McKesson's 2006 Pharmacy of the Year awards, which recognize leading independents - Health Mart and Valu-Rite pharmacies - for outstanding achievements over the previous 12 months.

The two pharmacies honored with the top national awards were the Scott City Health Mart Pharmacy of Scott City, Kansas, and Peoples Drug Store of Taylorsville, N.C.

"The Pharmacy of the Year awards are a way for McKesson to publicly honor leading independent pharmacies for the outstanding contributions they have made over the past year," said Linn. "Independent pharmacies play an invaluable role in their communities - they know their patients on a first-name basis, they understand their patients' unique health conditions, and they play an active role in educating their communities on key health issues, including public policy.

"As trusted advisors and active health-care leaders within their communities, there's no question that this year's winners have earned the title, Pharmacy of the Year," Linn added.

"We're extremely honored to be recognized as a national Pharmacy of the Year winner by McKesson," said Jonathan Brunswig, owner of the Scott City Health Mart. "McKesson truly partners with, supports, and advocates for independent pharmacy, and, over the years, they've continually provided us with the resources, leverage, and solutions we need to compete so successfully in the market. It feels great to bring back such an important award to our community."

Phil Icard, owner of  Peoples Drug Store, commented, "Our pharmacy has been serving Taylorsville, North Carolina for over 88 years, and it's such a tremendous feeling to be recognized on this scale for our contributions to the community." Icard added, "McKesson has been our long-standing partner, and we're honored to receive this prestigious award - it's strong validation of McKesson's commitment to empowering the success of independent pharmacy."

Pharmacies honored with Regional Pharmacy of the Year awards were the following:

In the Northeast: Brighton Pharmacy, New Brighton, Pa., and Morgan Pharmacy, Coshocton, Ohio. In the North Central region: Taylor's Discount Pharmacy, Pineville, Ky., and Edgerton Pharmacy, Edgerton, Wis. In the South: Clinic Drug, Americus, Ga., and Mount Airy Drug, Mount Airy, N.C. In the West region: Black Oak Pharmacy, Medford, Ore., and Kusler's Pharmacy, Snohomish, Wash.

Photos courtesy of McKesson

McKesson's Saul Factor, left, senior vice president ofpurchasing for generics, and Greg Yonko, senior vice president of purchasing speaks to a group of attendees during the event.

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