Independent pharmacies across the country are gearing up for McKesson ideaShare 2025, and many IPC members who attended last year are coming back for one reason: Value. From fresh strategies and peer connections to game-changing tools, these pharmacy owners walked away with more than just CE credits. They gained insight and momentum that are reshaping the way they do business.

Here’s what they had to say about their experience, how it impacted their pharmacies, and why they’re all in for another year.

“Last year was my first McKesson ideaShare. I came prepared with specific questions for vendors, but what surprised me the most was how much I learned just by connecting with other pharmacists. We’re all navigating similar challenges, and it was powerful to hear how others are tackling them.”

For Shelby, one of the biggest takeaways was the conversation around long-term care at home, a service model that was heavily discussed at the IPC booth and across the conference floor.

“We’re now doing long-term care at home, and that came directly from McKesson ideaShare. Not only did I attend the presentations, but I got to speak directly with vendors like GeriMed, who answered all my questions quickly and clearly. That kind of access is invaluable.”

When asked why she’d encourage other pharmacy owners to attend:

“Pharmacy is changing fast. If you want to stay in this business, you need to evolve with it. McKesson IdeaShare gives you real examples and real conversations to help you move forward.”

Hayes attended McKesson ideaShare with his father Tim Lawson, the owner of Metropolis Pharmacy. While new to the business at the time, Hayes quickly saw the impact the event could have.

“We just got our training on the iCare+ telehealth platform, something we learned about at McKesson ideaShare. It hasn’t gone live in our store yet, but we’re really excited to implement it. Our hope is to eventually add point-of-care testing, which will make things faster and more accessible for our patients.”

But that wasn’t the only takeaway.

“Last year, we also switched from disc pill to strip packaging, which was a huge operational change. That decision came from conversations and sessions at McKesson ideaShare. Then we got connected with the long-term care at home network through IPC, and it all just started to click.”

Hayes said McKesson ideaShare is where they go with a plan and return with a purpose.

“You go in thinking you know what you want to learn. But then you come home with so much more. It’s a reset. It forces you to focus on 20% of things that will have the biggest impact on your business and your patients.”

What’s he looking for this year?

“We’re hoping to polish and expand our long-term care at home services. And with delivery being tough in a rural area, we want to explore route optimization tools and other software solutions.”

His advice for owners on the fence?

“Don’t think about it in terms of what you’ll get out of it. Think about what your patients will gain. If you go with that mindset, everything else will fall into place.”

“Our entire family had a great experience at McKesson ideaShare last year. The most valuable part was networking, just talking with other independent owners and learning what they’re doing in their communities.”

Avery and Tim visited the IPC booth and have kept the conversation going since.

“We’ve talked about iCare+ probably every month since McKesson ideaShare. It’s exciting to see what other pharmacies are doing with it and think about how it might fit into our future.”

They’re heading back to McKesson ideaShare this year with open eyes and a clear goal.

“We just want to keep learning. There’s always something you might be missing, and McKesson ideaShare gives you the space to discover that.”

When asked about their proudest moment last year, Avery didn’t hesitate:

“Winning Health Mart of the Year was huge for us. It wasn’t just about our family; it felt like a win for our entire team and our community. People still stop by and talk about it. That recognition meant a lot to us.”

On convincing others to attend:

“There is no other event like it. Independents get to connect in a real way, troubleshoot challenges, and share ideas that actually work. It’s inspiring to see the future of pharmacy being built in real time.”

“Every time we go to McKesson ideaShare, we walk away with new ideas and new vendor connections. It’s such a valuable event for seeing what other pharmacies are doing and how we can apply those ideas in our own store.”

They explored IPC’s booth last year and left with a renewed appreciation for the full range of IPC offerings.

“It was great to see everything IPC is involved in beyond the traditional wholesaler role. Digital health, telehealth tools, preferred vendors, you start to realize they’re a resource you can always turn to.”

Medical Arts Pharmacy was honored last year as IPC’s Most Valuable Pharmacy. While the award was presented to Chocky White, the pharmacy’s owner, Brittany and Scott were there to celebrate and support the recognition on behalf of the entire team.

“It was a huge honor for the whole pharmacy. That moment validated the hard work our team has put in for our patients and our community. IPC made us feel special, and that meant a lot.”

And they’re ready for more.

“Pharmacy is constantly evolving, so we go in with a blank slate. What new billable services are out there? What changes can we make to improve how we care for patients? There’s always something new to learn.”

Their message to others:

“If you’ve never been, you have to try it. You don’t know what you don’t know. One idea or one connection could change the direction of your business.”