McKesson strengthens ties with independent pharmacies

At ideaShare 2025, McKesson introduces new services for its community pharmacy customers.

McKesson Corporation is strengthening its bond with community pharmacies, showcased recently at Nashville's ideaShare event. The healthcare distribution provider unveiled new service offerings, underscoring the strategic value of these deepening partnerships.

Independent pharmacies, which represent roughly 35% of all retail pharmacies in the US, continue to struggle with reimbursement pressures, chain competition, and regulatory hurdles. Meanwhile, McKesson—with over $276 billion in annual revenue—depends on these small businesses as crucial distribution channels and frontline healthcare providers.

Emily Flaugher, vice president and general manager of payer solutions at McKesson, recently highlighted the company’s strategies to support community pharmacists at the ideaShare event. “I think the community pharmacy segment continues to be challenged in reimbursement. There’s going to be reimbursement pressures that pharmacies are faced with when it comes to script revenue,” Flaugher said. “I think it’s really important, as we move to 2026 and beyond, we figure out ways to help pharmacies ease that burden and diversify their business.”

McKesson currently offers its Health Mart Atlas pharmacy services administrative organization platform, which provides pharmacists with tools to better understand their financial landscape, contract structures, and potential growth opportunities. Additionally, McKesson’s Health Mart independent pharmacy franchise program, which now includes over 5,000 pharmacies nationwide, provides independent pharmacies with branding, operational support, and collective negotiating power. It also gives McKesson a stronger retail presence without the overhead of corporate-owned locations.

During the event, McKesson introduced Pinpoint Community Solutions, now integrated into the McKesson Connect ordering portal, which provides enhanced inventory management capabilities while increasing pharmacy reliance on McKesson’s digital ecosystem. Similarly, its new Vaccine Optimization Solution offers competitive contract pricing on select vaccines, potentially increasing McKesson’s vaccine distribution volume while helping pharmacies expand their immunization services.

Learn more about community pharmacies and access at an upcoming event.

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