ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is partnering with the Minority Pharmacist Entrepreneur Conference to launch Pathways to Pharmacy Ownership, a new initiative between the two organizations that encourages and supports independent pharmacy ownership among minority pharmacists. Pathways is a year-long application-based program where selected pharmacists will gain access to pharmacy owner-mentors, industry experts’ help with business plan review, a series of webinars focused on essential business principles, scholarships to NCPA’s Pharmacy Ownership Workshop, and more.

“People get into independent pharmacy in particular because of the key role you can play in your community,” said NCPA president Michele Belcher, owner of Grants Pass Pharmacy in Grants Pass, Ore. “You not only run the pharmacy, but you live and shop where your patients do. You get to know them, and in return, they grow to know and trust you. NCPA is proud to be partnering with MPECrx to help more pharmacists from historically underrepresented backgrounds become successful pharmacy owners, serve the needs of neighbors, and improve local health and well-being.”

Applications for Pathways to Pharmacy Ownership are being accepted through Nov. 5, 2021, with virtual interviews taking place mid-November 2021. Interested pharmacists can click here to apply.