Pharmacy Road-map for 2026 and New Opportunities for Growth | TWIRx

TWIRx – January 30 | Special Guest: Marc Essensa, CEO of IPC

On this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we welcome Marc Essensa, President and CEO of the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC), to discuss timely strategies and resources helping independent pharmacies strengthen their businesses in today’s challenging environment.

Building Your Independent Pharmacy Business

Marc shares insights on navigating reimbursement pressure, improving margins, and leveraging IPC’s purchasing power, data, and strategic tools to support long-term sustainability.

The Payment Card Settlement: A Practical Guide

We break down IPC’s guidance on the Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement, which may allow pharmacies that accepted Visa or Mastercard between 2004–2019 to recover funds. Marc explains eligibility, next steps, and how recovered dollars can support cash flow, staffing, technology, or inventory investments.

IPC Member Support Services

The conversation highlights IPC’s expanded member support offerings, including business consulting, strategic partnerships, wholesale access, and operational resources designed to help independents stay competitive.

Legislative & Advocacy Updates

Marc also provides updates on IPC’s advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels, focused on protecting independent pharmacy interests and addressing ongoing policy and reimbursement challenges.

🔗 Resource Mentioned

• The Payment Card Settlement: A Practical Guide – IPC
  https://www.ipcrx.com/pharmacy-blog/news/the-payment-card-settlement-a-practical-guide/
  

Special guest:  Sakhi Gaurang Patel is a trailblazing PharmD candidate at the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and a co-founder of the startup CuraVoice. Recognized for her work in healthcare equity, mentorship, and educational technology, she focuses on improving patient communication and reducing health disparities.

Featured Guest: Dr. Jenny Newlon, PharmD — Researcher and Pharmacist with Birth Control Pharmacist

In this episode of This Week in Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Jenny Newlon to explore how pharmacist consultants, health clinics, and independent pharmacies can build high-value contraception services that meet urgent community needs.

We discuss practical strategies for delivering accessible birth control care—especially in areas that have lost Planned Parenthood centers—while creating new revenue models outside the constraints of traditional PBM reimbursement.

Dr. Newlon breaks down:

• How pharmacies can implement contraception services—even with limited staff or clinical infrastructure
• Ways to deliver value to patients and communities through education, access, and continuity of care
• Forward-thinking business models that diversify revenue beyond dispensing

Tune in to learn how independent pharmacy teams can lead with care, expand women’s health access, and strengthen their role as trusted healthcare providers.

Today's "This Week in Pharmacy" is sponsored by Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC)