Independent Pharmacy

[Hope_ful_Pharm]

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I have always been really curious about the aspects of owning an independent pharmacy, and wanted to know if anyone had any insights as to pros, cons, or just knew anything about the process.

 

[maria1oh]

Cardinal Health offers financing to help fund your new independent. The catch is that you will be obligated to buy a certain percentage of your drugs from them as a wholesaler.
You can also reach out to independent pharmacy owners and mention that you want to start your own pharmacy and they might have advice for you. A lot of them are getting older and looking to retire/sell out.

 

[PharmDog64]

I just finished my first year of pharmacy school and began working for the summer as a tech in a local independent pharmacy, which is in a small rural town. From what I have learned and experienced so far, it seems as if owning your own pharmacy can at times, feel like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes, the pharmacist that I work for who owns the pharmacy does really well, and sometimes we end up losing money on prescriptions. Overall, I feel that the independent scene is obviously much more stressful than working for a big chain because of all the responsibilities/business aspects to tend to but their is great potential for personal and financial satisfaction depending on location and other factors.

 

[PharmacyPodcast]

This is one of my favorite subjects. I'd like to help pharmacists launch their own businesses and possibly partnerships for the right visionary. Take a listen to this podcast: http://pharmacypodcast.com/pharmacy-services-on-a-whole-new-level/

Just look at that STORE DESIGN!! This cat is leveraging pharmacogenomics, community awareness programs, and a juice bar.

• Episode 205

Pharmacy Services on a Whole New Level

 

[PharmacistReb]

I just finished my first year of pharmacy school and began working for the summer as a tech in a local independent pharmacy, which is in a small rural town. From what I have learned and experienced so far, it seems as if owning your own pharmacy can at times, feel like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes, the pharmacist that I work for who owns the pharmacy does really well, and sometimes we end up losing money on prescriptions. Overall, I feel that the independent scene is obviously much more stressful than working for a big chain because of all the responsibilities/business aspects to tend to but their is great potential for personal and financial satisfaction depending on location and other factors.

If you are going to work retail, independent pharmacy is where it's at. I worked independent retail for the better part of almost 3 years and I loved it. There is a lot of potential for junior partnership depending on where you land. No pressure from corporate structure, scheduling leeway with a sole proprietor, a much more enhanced interaction with patient population. My experience was very pleasant.

The downside is like all retail jobs - hellacious pace. If the business is the least bit successful, it's going to be busy and it's going to present the same kind of difficulties in handling drug seekers, on your feet all day, scarfing down your lunch. I had plenty of autonomy and no corporate pressure with a great team of techs who had been there forever.