Let’s Recap McKesson ideaShare 2026 in Denver
Independent pharmacy owners from across the country touched down in Denver, Colorado ready to network, learn from industry experts, and walk away with the tools, resources, and fresh ideas to bring back to their teams. Some were McKesson ideaShare regulars, others were first timers, but everyone in the room had one thing in common: they showed up for their patients, their staff, and the future of independent pharmacy.
IPC was thrilled to welcome every owner, partner, and friend who stopped by Booth #745 to swap stories, share a smoothie, and explore what guiding their Freedom to Pharm™ really looks like. If you couldn’t make it to Denver this year, don’t worry. Here’s everything you need to know.
NimbleRx Welcome Reception
The first night of McKesson ideaShare kicked off in style with a welcome reception co-hosted by NimbleRx. Up on the 27th floor of the Hyatt Regency, IPC members gathered for an evening of laughter, incredible food, big ideas, even better conversations, and views of Denver that captured the moment beautifully.
But the night was about more than the skyline. IPC is proud to officially announce our partnership with NimbleRx, a meaningful next step in our continued commitment to supporting independent pharmacies. Together, we are working to streamline pharmacy operations, improve patient communication, and help independent pharmacies deliver a digital-first, privacy-safe healthcare experience that gets patients the care they need, exactly when they need it.
Check out the official press release: [Link]
IPC Booth #745
This year, IPC opened the booth experience in a whole new way. Instead of a guided path, every IPC team member on the floor was ready to have 1:1 conversations about what mattered most to you. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., exhibit hours brought a steady flow of foot traffic through Booth #745, and the conversations kept rolling from open to close.
A clear highlight was the smoothie bar, sponsored by Fullscript. Attendees built their perfect blend with their protein of choice while the Fullscript team walked them through how to unlock new revenue streams and integrate evidence-based supplement protocols into everyday pharmacy care, with fulfillment and support included. It was the kind of stop that gave attendees a moment to refuel, both literally and strategically.
From there, the booth itself did a lot of the talking.
The IPC pillars and Freedom to Pharm™ message were front and center, which naturally opened the door to real conversations with our team. One question kept surfacing throughout the day: where could your pharmacy be a year from now? That single prompt sparked meaningful discussions about growth, possibility, and what is genuinely within reach for independent pharmacy owners who have the right partner alongside them.
Adding to the excitement, we brought back the Marc bucks, where one IPC member had the chance to win $25,000 at our annual meeting. It is always a fan favorite and a great reminder of what makes our community feel a little different.
And capturing it all in real time, Todd Eury was back at the booth recording stories from industry experts and attendees, making sure the voices shaping independent pharmacy got the spotlight they deserve. Stay tuned for the recaps and episodes from Pharmacy Podcast.
The Year in Numbers, and What They Actually Mean
IPC President and CEO Marc Essensa opened the IPC annual meeting with the kind of update independent pharmacy owners deserve to hear.
In 2025, IPC returned $61.6 million in rebates to members, with warehouse sales reaching $899 million. On top of that, $14.7 million came back to members in the form of patronage dividends. Every one of those dollars is more than a line item. It is a technician hired, an equipment upgrade made, and a patient who gets their prescription filled on time.
Marc also celebrated IPC’s third consecutive Top Workplace award recognition. The award is widely considered the gold standard in employee satisfaction, and it reflects the dedication of the IPC team showing up every day for the independent pharmacy owners we serve.
Another standout moment was the spotlight on Pharmacy Select (RTL2), the most comprehensive backup contract in community pharmacy. The program posted a strong 2025 with $125 million in sales, $11.6 million in rebates returned to members, and an 180% increase in brand sales. For independent pharmacies navigating a complicated landscape, Pharmacy Select continues to deliver real value through meaningful cost savings on brand and generic drugs.
Looking Ahead: Digital Health, GLP-1s, and AI
The annual meeting is not just a look back. It is an opportunity to charge forward. And this year, three topics took center stage: digital health, GLP-1s, and the use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy.
These are not distant trends. They are here now, and IPC is focused on making sure members are not navigating them alone.
Independent pharmacy has never waited to be disrupted. It lives with disruption every single day. What became clear in Denver is that IPC members are already adapting, already leading, and IPC is building the infrastructure to support you every step of the way.
A Seat at the Table in Washington
One of the most meaningful moments of the meeting came when Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen walked onto the stage.
Representing Colorado’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Pettersen serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence. Her presence carried real weight as she shared how legislative advocacy continues to strengthen community pharmacy.
Same Words. Completely Different Story.
Before IPC Board Chair Vicki Einhellig took the stage, the room watched a short video that captured the everyday challenges independent pharmacy owners face and the lengths you go for your patients and your communities. It set the tone for everything that came next.
Vicki laid out the full picture of independent pharmacy in America. Rural, urban, suburban. Compounding, retail, specialty, long-term care, 340B, hospice, home care. Fifty states, fifty regulatory environments. Different systems, different ownership models, different patient populations. Independent by design, independent by choice. But underneath all that variation is a shared set of values that does not waver, no matter the zip code or the specialty. Independent pharmacies stay open when others close. You know your patients by name. You fight for access every single day. You are the front door of healthcare. You do not give up, because you cannot give up.
IPC Board Leadership
The 2026 IPC Board of Directors election results are in, and four pharmacy professionals were re-elected to help shape the direction of IPC going forward: John Coler, RPh; Shahida Choudhry, PharmD; Beshoy Gerges, PharmD; and Kari VanderHouwen, RPh.
IPC also extends a heartfelt thank you to outgoing board member Mona Ghattas, who gave ten years of service to the cooperative. A decade of showing up, advocating, and helping build something worth being proud of. And the room made sure she felt every bit of it.
The Dan Moudry IPC Most Valuable Pharmacy Award
Every year, IPC recognizes one pharmacy that exemplifies what cooperative membership looks like in action. The 2026 Dan Moudry IPC Most Valuable Pharmacy Award went to Andes Health Mart Pharmacy in Effingham, Illinois.
And the $25,000 Goes To…
Every IPC member store registered for McKesson ideaShare had one entry in the prize drawing. The only requirement was simple: be present to win.
We’re proud to announce that Larry Walsh, owner of Mercy Health System in Janesville, WI as this year’s winner!
After the Meeting
When the formal program wrapped, the IPC Reception picked up right where things left off. Members, executives, and board directors filled the space, and the conversations that followed were the kind you cannot schedule or script. Honest, peer-to-peer, no agenda. The kind that remind you why belonging to a cooperative actually means something.
See You Next Year
If you were not able to join us in Denver this year, we hope you will pencil in McKesson ideaShare 2027 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is more than a conference, it is a chance to be in the room with the people who get it, who are building what is next, and who are showing up for independent pharmacy the same way you do every day.
To everyone who walked the floor, stopped by Booth #745, shared a smoothie, swapped stories, and reminded us why this industry is worth fighting for, thank you. Denver gave us the energy, the conversations, and the moments that will carry us straight into what is next. Until Vegas, keep leading, keep pushing, and keep guiding your Freedom to Pharm™.
