Cardinal Health's Annual Retail Business Conference Featured 95,000 SQF Showfloor, High-level Speakers

August 18, 2013

Thousands of independent pharmacists converged Aug. 7-10 in Seattle for Cardinal Health's annual Retail Business Conference, with the theme Discover New Horizons for improving their businesses and for delivering quality, personalized care to patients.

"RBC is the industry's best opportunity to celebrate independent pharmacy and to encourage owners to discover new opportunities to move their businesses forward," said Steve Lawrence, senior vice president of Retail Independent Sales for Cardinal Health. 

He added, "This event is one of the largest gatherings of independent pharmacy owners in the world, offers more continuing education classes than can be found anywhere else and features the largest trade show floor and more exhibitors than in the show's 23 year history. It's an outstanding opportunity for independent pharmacies to learn from their peers and gain valuable insight into how to improve their businesses."

The trade show featured a 95,000 square foot exhibit floor with more than 330 exhibitors.

There also were 55 courses on topics that were designed to help the pharmacists improve both their clinical and business operations.

The RBC Opening Session featured Chris Gardner, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and single parent whose life story was published as an autobiography, “The Pursuit of Happyness”, which became a New York Times and Washington Post No. 1 bestseller and was the inspiration for the 2006 movie by the same name.

At RBC 2013, Gardner shared his hard-won wisdom and practical guidance to encourage attendees to achieve their full potential, pursue new challenges, search for fulfillment at any stage of life and craft the legacy they want to leave behind.

The RBC Industry Session featured Mark B. McClellan, M.P.A., M.D., Ph.D., doctor and economist who formerly served as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers and as senior director for health care policy at the White House.

Currently, McClellan is senior fellow, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, and Leonard D. Schaeffer Chair in Health Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution.

He led the Industry Session at RBC 2013, titled “Driving the Conversation: A Look at the Future of Healthcare in America”.

His discussion focused on the important role pharmacy and specifically, community pharmacy, can play in shaping that future.

The RBC annual event provides independent pharmacy owners, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy industry professionals across the United States with access to pharmaceutical manufacturers, buying opportunities, continuing education sessions and programs to help pharmacists reduce costs and improve patient care and efficiency.

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