The Power of Choice:
How the IPC Warehouse Supports Your Bottom Line
By Marc Essensa, President & CEO, Independent Pharmacy Cooperative
Published: May 15, 2025

Independent pharmacy owners are navigating more complexity than ever. Between staying compliant with primary contracts, managing margins, and meeting patient needs, every decision matters, especially when it comes to purchasing.
That’s why IPC built the warehouse. Not to replace your primary wholesaler, but to support your business with flexibility, competitive pricing, and practical tools that help you stay ahead.
Built for Independent Pharmacies
Originally launched to help members take advantage of pricing opportunities in the marketplace, the IPC Warehouse has grown into a critical resource for more than 7,000 pharmacies nationwide. Today, it stocks over 2,700 generic and 300 brand items — giving owners real options when it matters most.
And for many, those options are built into your contract. Most primary wholesaler agreements allow up to 10% of purchasing to come from a secondary source. That 10% can create meaningful savings without affecting your compliance.
That means you don’t have to compromise your existing agreements to buy strategically. Instead, the IPC Warehouse complements your primary wholesaler, helping you control your cost of goods (COGs) and increase your gross margin without stepping outside the lines.
A Strategic Tool for Smarter Purchasing
The IPC Warehouse isn’t just a place to source products — it’s a strategic extension of your pharmacy’s purchasing plan. Whether you’re looking to optimize your GCR, access competitive brand pricing, or reduce operational costs, the warehouse is built to support you.
Here are a few ways IPC makes that possible:
1. Warehouse Edge: Unlock Additional Discounts
With the Warehouse Edge program, pharmacies that commit to a certain threshold of generic purchasing each month automatically unlock additional brand discounts. These savings are built into the system, requiring no extra effort on your end.
You’ll see your current tier on your dashboard, so you always know where you stand and how close you are to the next discount level. It’s a clear, transparent system designed to reward consistent purchasing behavior.
2. Weekly Savings and Top 20 Tuesday

Every Tuesday, IPC releases a curated list of top deals on popular generics and brands. This “Top 20 Tuesday” program surfaces real savings opportunities, helping you buy smarter without digging through thousands of SKUs.
These are products your patients need, and IPC works closely with our supply chain team to ensure pricing stays competitive with what you might find elsewhere.
Each time you log into the portal, your personalized dashboard highlights weekly savings, top-selling generics, new product launches, and featured deals — making it easy to find value where it counts.
3. Time-Saving Technology
For pharmacies juggling a dozen priorities a day, the IPC Warehouse dashboard is more than a portal — it’s a command center. From your homepage, you can access financial reports, product specials, rebate statements, credit requests, and more.
Members who meet a minimum order threshold in generics get access to additional tools like SureCost, Rx Assassins and Pharmacy Marketplace at no charge. These platforms help planning for orders, track compliance with your primary wholesaler, and identify the best purchasing options without requiring extra time from your team.
Designed to Respect Your Time
We understand that efficiency is essential. That’s why IPC has made it easier than ever to order, manage inventory, and monitor financials.
You can:
- Scan bottles directly from your phone using our mobile bottle scanner
- Download and review reports from your dashboard anytime
- Request credit and manage statements with just a few clicks
This level of access helps owners make faster, data-informed decisions — without waiting on phone calls or emails. It puts control back in your hands.
Supporting Compliance and Cash Flow
We’re often asked: “Can I really use a secondary wholesaler without hurting my GCR?”
The answer is yes — and in many cases, it can help.
By strategically sourcing brands from the IPC Warehouse, you can balance your primary purchasing in a way that improves your GCR. This flexibility can be especially helpful toward the end of the month when you’re working to hit compliance tiers. And since IPC tracks your status in real-time, you know exactly where to shift your spend.
Our members also benefit from exclusive relationships with manufacturers that allow us to offer brands at prices that are on par with, or even better than, what you might see in your primary channel.
The Cooperative Difference

What makes IPC different from any other secondary wholesaler?
We’re member owned. That means revenue generated through warehouse operations doesn’t just go into overhead or profits — it goes back to you.
Through our patronage dividend program, warehouse earnings help fund:
- Member rebates
- Program and service development
- Technology investments
- Annual dividend payouts
So, every time you place an order with IPC, you’re investing in your own future — and the future of independent pharmacy.
Real-World Value in a Changing Market
In recent years, more manufacturers have chosen IPC as a partner for exclusive and limited-distribution deals. This includes brands like Vivitrol, which may now be more cost-effective through IPC.
As manufacturers look for new ways to reach independent pharmacies, IPC is becoming a preferred channel thanks to our transparent pricing, reliable distribution, and strong relationships across the industry.
This growing brand portfolio is just one more way we’re bringing long-term value to our members and affiliates.
What If You’re Not Ordering Yet?
If you’re not placing orders with IPC Warehouse today, you may be missing out on:
- Margin improvement through better generic pricing
- Strategic tools to manage your purchasing
- Passive rebates and patronage payouts
- Time-saving technology that simplifies your workflow
Even if you’re not ready to fully commit, you can start small. Place an order. Try the dashboard. Explore the tools. There’s no cost to join.
We also offer a 24-hour demo for those who want to browse the ordering system before signing up.
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, IPC is doubling down on warehouse growth and innovation. We’re expanding our product lines, enhancing our reporting tools, and continuing to negotiate competitive pricing with brand manufacturers.
We’re committed to providing you with the options, tools, and transparency you need to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace. Because we know that when independent pharmacies thrive, communities thrive.
We’re here to make that happen.
Ready to See the Difference?
Order from the IPC Warehouse today and take the next step in supporting your margins — and your mission.
Or test drive our ordering system with a 24-hour demo — no membership required.
This is your warehouse. This is your advantage.
Ready to See the Difference?
Order from the IPC Warehouse today and take the next step in supporting your margins — and your mission.
Or test drive our ordering system with a 24-hour demo — no membership required.
This is your warehouse. This is your advantage.