UNC-Chapel Hill creates pharmacy residency program

The Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) has started a pharmacy residency program for graduates interested in pharmacy ownership.

The residency program is a partnership between the university, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), and Mutual Drug Company.

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The 12-month residencies will begin during the 2016-2017 academic year with placements at Drugco Discount Pharmacy in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and Central Pharmacy in Durham, N.C.

“The independent pharmacy ownership residency program will teach residents innovative and entrepreneurial techniques to be pharmacy owners in an evolving healthcare market,” said Stefanie Ferreri, PharmD, residency program director and a clinical associate professor at the school.

“They will get the skills, confidence, and experience needed to create a viable business model for community pharmacies of the future,” Ferreri said.

Residents will also have opportunities to attend NCPA meetings and write for the group’s magazine, America’s Pharmacist.

“NCPA has long been dedicated to the cultivating the next generation of independent community pharmacy owners through a variety of pharmacy student programs,” said Bradley J. Arthur, RPh, NCPA president and co-owner of BlackRock Pharmacy and Brighton-Eggert Pharmacy in Buffalo, N.Y. “The independent pharmacy ownership residency on which we are collaborating with UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Mutual Drug is an exciting opportunity to ensure these budding entrepreneurs are successful in the challenging and ever-evolving healthcare marketplace.”

Residents will also attend board meetings at Mutual Drug Company, where they will learn about legislative advocacy and the relationship between wholesalers and independent pharmacies.