OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2013. At McKesson ideaShare 2013,  McKesson Corporation will host the Health Mart® Annual Meeting. This annual event provides attendees with insights on the changing industry landscape and Health Mart's strategy for the year ahead to ensure that Health Mart stores continue to grow and thrive.

With more than 3,100 stores, Health Mart continues to see significant growth, adding more than 500 new stores in the past three years. The franchise remains focused on providing products and solutions that simplify the operational aspects of running a pharmacy so that owners can focus on providing superior customer service and take advantage of new, revenue-generating opportunities. With its outstanding customer service, Health Mart has ranked highest in customer satisfaction in J.D. Power & Associates' U.S. Pharmacy Study for the third time. 

"McKesson ideaShare is the ideal forum for Health Mart members to access industry thought leaders, the latest pharmacy solutions, Continuing Education courses, and networking events all focused on helping them achieve better pharmacy health," said Steve Courtman, president, Health Mart. "With the changing dynamics in the industry, it's important that community pharmacy look for ways to build scale and be a part of a recognized brand. By coming together under Health Mart, member pharmacies are collectively elevating the profile of community pharmacy across the nation."

New programs and offerings will be available to help Health Mart owners run a better business, achieve better results for patients, create a better future for community pharmacy, and seize the benefits of coming together with other Health Mart pharmacies for greater scale:

Local Marketing Support: Health Mart will be previewing its new Local Marketing Support program that is designed to help owners market their store to the local community. The program will help franchise owners attract new patients and retain current customers to help grow revenue in the following ways:

The Marketing Hub: Replacing the Marketing Tool Kit, the new Marketing Hub will provide Health Mart stores with a variety of resources to promote their pharmacy. Owners will be able to choose to purchase a time-saving integrated campaign or select their own tactics from a catalog of more than 100 traditional, digital and social media marketing tools. The marketing tools will be updated and consumer-tested, including promotions, email templates, social media content, and "do it for me" TV, radio, community outreach and PR. Sample marketing templates will be available at the Local Marketing Support booth on the show floor.

Flexible matching funds:  Owners will be able to use flexible matching funds for any tactic or campaign on the Marketing Hub (except store decor and promotional items). To simplify the ordering process, the matching funds will be immediately applied when eligible items are ordered on the Marketing Hub.

Local marketing coordinators: Health Mart marketing coordinators will be available by phone or email to help owners utilize the Marketing Hub resources efficiently and to support the execution of campaigns. McKesson ideaShare attendees can meet with marketing experts at the Local Marketing Support booth to receive a personalized marketing consultation.

New Mobile App for Your Pharmacy Online: Health Mart will be previewing a mobile application, the newest component of the Your Pharmacy Online consumer-facing pharmacy website. Available later this summer, the mobile app will give patients more on-the-go prescription management options, including placing refill requests, receiving reminders or learning about in-store promotions. The new communication tool can help improve patient medication adherence and drive positive health outcomes, while increasing prescription volume. Demonstrations of the new app will be provided to attendees at the Your Pharmacy Online booth on the show floor.

New Tools to Maximize the Adherence Opportunity: Health Mart will provide attendees with information on new adherence opportunities available to retail pharmacies, such as medication therapy management (MTM), behavioral coaching and more. Attendees will learn about the importance of measurable clinical results, Star Ratings, and how to best position their pharmacy to participate in preferred, performance-based programs.

New Store Design: With the guidance of retail experience experts, Health Mart has updated its store design and decor to help create a shopper-friendly atmosphere with easier access to the pharmacist. The new store design is scalable, affordable, and adaptable to almost any store footprint. McKesson ideaShare attendees can take a tour of a demonstration store on the show floor.

For more information on all of McKesson's announcements from McKesson ideaShare 2013, please visit McKesson's online newsroom at www.mckesson.com/newsroom.