Cardinal Health - Pharmacy Transition & Strategy

Since initially launching these services in October 2008, Cardinal Health’s Transition Strategy and Management team has worked with more than 125 pharmacists interested in buying or selling an independent pharmacy. Because Cardinal Health serves more than 5,000 independent pharmacies throughout the United States, the company is uniquely positioned to match potential buyers and sellers and to help develop acquisition and exit strategies that take into consideration the specific challenges these owners face.

“Cardinal Health understands that to many independent pharmacists, planning for the future of their businesses is much like planning for the future of their families,” said Jimmy Neil, vice president of Transition Strategy and Management for Cardinal Health. “It’s extremely important - but it can also be a complicated, lengthy and emotional process. Studies show that ownership of more than 60 percent of community pharmacies will change hands within the next 10 years, so we’re committed to making sure that independent pharmacies have all of the information and expertise they need to buy, sell or create a long-term exit strategy for their business.”

Cardinal Health’s Transition Strategy and Management team can help independent pharmacists to determine the best timing to buy or sell a pharmacy, learn how to structure the sales transaction and understand what kind of additional outside counsel they need.

Cardinal Health can also help independent pharmacy buyers to:

• Determine whether to pursue a start-up or acquisition
• Locate and qualify potential sellers
• Learn how to get attractive financing and how to negotiate a fair purchase price
• Create a long-term business plan, complete with a built-in exit strategy and
• Redesign newly purchased pharmacies to create a fresh, more efficient workflow.

Additionally, Cardinal Health can help independent pharmacy sellers to:

• Locate and qualify potential buyers
• Learn how to market their business for sale and how to negotiate a fair sales price and
• Determine how to invest the proceeds and what their role will be following the sale.

“Cardinal Health offered me a tremendous amount of personal, hands-on support to guide me through every step of finding and buying the right pharmacy,” said John D. Ortego, PharmD, owner of Parkside Pharmacy in Sacramento, Calif. “They helped me learn about different pharmacy business models, negotiate the lease, understand the financing issues, think through changes I wanted to make to the store’s design and even helped me create a long-term business plan. Cardinal Health treated every detail of my pharmacy buying and building experience like it was their own, and their invaluable guidance and expertise played a key role in helping me realize my dream of pharmacy ownership.”

Cardinal Health’s Transition Strategy and Management services are available to all independent pharmacy owners, pharmacy students and to pharmacists who aren’t currently affiliated with an independent pharmacy but are considering independent pharmacy ownership.

About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $91 billion, global company serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, MedMined™ electronic infection surveillance service and VIASYS® respiratory care products. The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide. Ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents. More information about the company may be found by clicking on the link below to visit our website.

Grow With Us

With 20+ years experience in the health care industry, Live Oak Bank has earned a trusted reputation by working almost exclusively with health care professionals and their practices. Because we understand the challenges unique to pharmacists and independent pharmacies, you'll find we're not only easy to work with, but extremely helpful, knowledgeable and well-equipped to help you achieve your goals and make sure you stayed pointed in the right direction.

Whether you are expending, remodeling or refinancing, with Live Oak Bank you will face the future with confidence knowing we're behind you every step of the way, from start to finish. With Live Oak Bank as your trusted lending partner you will spend less time worrying about your loan and more time doing what you do best - keeping your community healthy.

We're Partners, Not Salespeople

You won't find commissioned salespeople at Live Oak Bank. Instead, you'll work with a senior lending professional who owns a share of the company and is uniquely invested in helping you succeed. Because we're a small bank with big bank expertise, we understand the entrepreneurial spirit and are dedicated to helping you thrive in your communities.

You've Found Your Bank. Live Oak Bank.

Pharmacy ownership transfer has never been more complex. With that in mind, RxOwnership was created with one purpose in mind: to help pharmacy professionals with the sale, purchase, or transfer of independent pharmacies.

RxOwnership brings together the expertise of McKesson with the dedication of our expert Ownership Consultants to support the needs of current and future pharmacy owners. Whether you're looking to sell a chain of pharmacies that's been in your family for generations -- or purchase your very first pharmacy business -- RxOwnership is a helpful resource for everything from planning to staffing.

Plan an Independent Pharmacy Career

It's never too soon to plan for the purchase of your pharmacy

For many pharmacy professionals, the ultimate goal of a pharmacy career is pharmacy ownership. The freedom and responsibility that comes with owning and managing one's own pharmacy is unmatched in our industry. However, the process of buying an independent pharmacy is extremely complex. Powered by McKesson, RxOwnership is here to help.

RxOwnership provides you with the tools and resources you need to plan for the successful acquisition of your very own pharmacy. With information on everything from Business Basics to Store Set-Up you'll know exactly what it takes to fulfill your dream of pharmacy ownership.

Embrace the business of pharmacy ownership.

Above all else, a successful pharmacy is a successful business. That's why you'll want to address a range of important considerations that go well beyond running your pharmacy practice. Those considerations include:

• Developing an effective business plan
• Budgeting and business projections
• Evaluating third-party contracting
• Instituting human resources management
• Planning and executing marketing programs

RxOwnership Ownership Consultants can also provide you with guidance to point you in the right direction to find the information you need. Most likely, the information you need is available to help you become a successful pharmacy owner.

Sell or Transfer Pharmacy Ownership

It's never too soon to plan for the sale of your pharmacy

As a pharmacy owner, planning for the eventual sale of that pharmacy is one of the most important things you can do -- for yourself and your customers. However, the process of selling an independent pharmacy is extremely complex. Powered by McKesson, RxOwnership is here to help.

RxOwnership provides you with the tools and resources you need to plan for the successful sale and transfer of your pharmacy. With our tools, resources, and especially our Step-by-Step Guide, you'll know exactly what it takes to sell successfully.

Steps for planning your pharmacy's future

If you approach the process of selling your pharmacy in a step-by-step manner, it won't be overwhelming. By giving yourself sufficient time, you can carefully consider and refine what is best for you, your family, your employees, and your community. You will have time to consult with colleagues who are several years ahead of you in the process, and to build a team of specialists around you.

As you think about the ownership transfer of your pharmacy, jot down what you want the pharmacy to be like in 3, 5, or 10 years. This can help you understand how you want to sell your pharmacy -- and to whom.

Financing as part of the sale process.

Many pharmacy owners, sellers, and sales managers attempt to start the ownership transfer process with financing. This is a guaranteed recipe for disappointment. As has been pointed out repeatedly, there are myriad decisions that must be considered and made before considering financing. Financing should only be approached once the succession planning has been completed.

There are many different types of financing available today. Most people think first of traditional lenders such as banks and organizations such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) when they think of financing. Others think of suppliers and wholesalers providing dating of product as a form of financing. In addition to these, financing can come from a current owner "taking back a note." Loans from parents and relatives also are common forms of financing.

Rarely is just one type of financing used in the sale/purchase of a pharmacy. For this reason, it is important to understand the breadth of financing options available.