What’s in Your IPC Tool Bag? A Message to My Fellow Pharmacy Owners

I’ve been in pharmacy for over 30 years, and if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that none of us can do this alone. Whether you’re running a single location or managing multiple sites like I do at Good Day Pharmacy, independent pharmacy owners wear a lot of hats. You’re a clinician. A business leader. A community advocate. And sometimes, you’re just trying to make it through the day with your team and your sanity intact.

That’s why when I spoke at the IPC Annual Meeting in Nashville this year, I used an analogy that comes naturally to me: golf.

Anyone who plays knows you can’t get through 18 holes using just one club. You need a driver to set the tone, a hybrid to get out of tough spots, and a putter when precision matters most. The same is true when it comes to navigating the pharmacy industry. And as IPC members, we have a full bag of tools at our disposal. But many of us aren’t using them.

This blog is for those of you who couldn’t make it to the meeting. I want to walk you through what I shared on stage and encourage you to take a fresh look at your IPC membership. I can tell you from experience that these tools work, and I use them every day.

If there’s one club that gets the most use in my bag, it’s the IPC Warehouse. We use it regularly and with intention. It helps us lower our cost of goods and optimize our agreement with our primary wholesaler. Whether it’s sourcing generics or finding opportunities on brand, the warehouse gives us strategic options that keep us competitive.

We don’t just place random orders. We plan our purchasing carefully. We’ve built internal processes to evaluate pricing, identify gaps, and make sure we’re getting the best deal. IPC Warehouse plays a central role in that.

I’ve worked closely with IPC’s legislative team for years, especially here in Colorado. In our state, we’ve passed significant bills that protect and empower independent pharmacy. We couldn’t have done it without IPC’s support.

I call IPC Advocacy the hybrid in our bag because it helps you navigate the rough. You might not always need it, but when you do, you need it badly. The team, including Mark, John, and others, are smart, well-connected, and incredibly committed to helping members at both the state and federal level.

Even if you’re just getting started with advocacy, they can help you draft language, find bill sponsors, and connect with lawmakers. Their experience makes the process a lot less intimidating.

These are the tools that help you manage the daily game. RxAssassins, SureCost, and IPC’s Digital Health program through iCare+ are all things we use or have piloted at Good Day.

RxAssassins and SureCost have been game changers for us. The visibility, the analytics, and the hands-on partnership are worth every bit of time you put into them. I’ve worked with Chris and Eric at RxAssassins for years. Their passion for helping pharmacy owners is unmatched. They truly understand the balance between margin and workflow.

We’re also starting to use iCare+ Digital Health. We’re piloting it at six locations and plan to explore Uber Health delivery as a cost-effective option for getting medications to patients. If you don’t have a delivery driver or courier setup, that could be a lifeline.

These services help us track what matters, stay efficient, and ultimately provide better care to our communities.

The putter is about precision, and in pharmacy, that often means relationships. Some of the best tools in our IPC bag aren’t programs. They’re people.

IPC’s team is experienced, generous with their time, and always looking for ways to help. Whether it’s marketing advice, operational support, or introductions to peers, they’ve become a sounding board I trust.

Beyond staff, the member network is a powerful resource. As Board Chair, I know how much knowledge exists across our member base. It’s just a matter of tapping into it. If you’re exploring a new service line or looking to solve a challenge, IPC can connect you with someone who’s already walked that road.

When I started in pharmacy, I thought I’d end up in a hospital setting. I worked in clinical inpatient care for five years. Then my cousin asked me to help out at his independent pharmacy in Loveland, Colorado. That was 33 years ago, and I never left.

Today, Good Day Pharmacy operates at 18 locations across Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. We serve rural and urban communities with a mix of services including retail, compounding, long-term care, and some durable medical equipment. We also participate in several 340B contracts, supporting our rural communities’ health care systems.

We have 200 employees across our pharmacies and home office. Our model includes partnerships with pharmacists, succession planning for future owners, and a deep focus on community care. I work closely with our COO, Director of Operations, and several leaders in our organization.

IPC is a huge part of how we do that.

If you’re not using the full range of IPC services, here’s what you might be missing:

• Cost savings through smarter purchasing
• Legislative wins that protect your practice
• Technology and tools that save time and reduce waste
• Connections to peers who can help you grow
• Business services that go far beyond what’s expected

The reality is that many members don’t know what’s available to them. If you haven’t visited www.ipcrx.com, I encourage you to spend 15 minutes clicking around. The site has become a rich hub of information. It can lead you to something that solves a problem you didn’t even know IPC could help with.

You can also reach out to your Regional Director. Start a conversation. Ask a question. Let someone on the team know what you’re struggling with. I guarantee there’s someone at IPC who can point you to the right tool or connect you with another member who’s been in your shoes.

Independent pharmacy isn’t easy. But we’re strong, innovative, and relentless. We adapt. We serve. And we fight for the patients and communities who rely on us.

The tools IPC provides aren’t just for show. They’re built by people who understand pharmacy and believe in what we do.

So, I’ll ask again. What’s in your IPC tool bag? And more importantly, are you using it?

Because I am. And I can honestly say it’s made all the difference.