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DUBLIN, Ohio — While women-owned businesses have grown steadily over the past several years, according to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report the vast majority of independent pharmacies are still owned by men. Women comprise nearly 60% of the total pharmacy workforce and represent more than two-thirds of students enrolling in pharmacy school, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and yet, the AACP estimates that only 25% of pharmacies are owned by women.
Despite this gap, women pharmacy leaders are making a significant impact in their communities by adding differentiated, patient-centric services, empowering female patients to be more engaged in their care and offering support and guidance to their colleagues.
With support from Cardinal Health, women pharmacists can receive the guidance and resources they need to begin their journey toward pharmacy ownership.
Michelle Britt, senior vice president, leads the Retail Independent Sales team at Cardinal Health, which includes a team of Pharmacy Transition Services experts dedicated to consulting with potential pharmacy owners.
“We want to demonstrate to women in pharmacy that ownership is a viable option for them,” said Britt. “Our Pharmacy Transition Services team offers customized support and is there to guide future owners every step of the way, to help them advocate for themselves and secure financial support and consultation as they grow their business.”
Additionally, the annual Retail Business Conference (RBC) offers opportunities for women pharmacists to network, hear advice from their peers, and share best practices.
“We have a strong network of women owners that can help potential owners with their individual needs on the path to ownership, from how to get started to financial support and business optimization,” Britt added.
At this year’s RBC event, several Cardinal Health customers participated in a panel conversation to share their experience as women pharmacy owners. To celebrate Women Pharmacist Day on October 12, we spoke with them to learn more about their journey to ownership and what they’ve learned along the way.
Start before you’re ready
For Kristin Glezman, owner of The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Denison, Texas, having a woman pharmacist as a mentor helped start her own journey to pharmacy ownership. Glezman was encouraged by the previous store owner, Jana Busch, to assume ownership of the Denison location. She credits Busch as an important role model in her career.
“She saw me as a leader and showed me what was truly possible, that I could balance having a family and being a business owner,” she said.
Glezman enjoys the freedom that being an independent pharmacy owner offers because it provides more flexibility to adapt to the needs of the patients in her community.
“When patients come to us with a need they have, and that same need keeps being repeated, it’s a lightbulb moment. This is something our community is asking for,” she said.
She also enjoys the networking opportunities being a Cardinal Health customer provides. As a Medicine Shoppe franchisee, Glezman has met other owners she can lean on for support and idea sharing.
“I know a lot of successful pharmacy owners and they’ve become my role models,” Glezman said. “If I ever get discouraged, I look to those other pharmacy owners and say, ‘If they can do it, we can do it.’ They’ll tell me what works and doesn’t work. Other owners are so kind and open to sharing their successes.”
Her advice to other women who are thinking of pursuing pharmacy ownership is to go ahead and take the leap.
“Start before you’re ready – that’s a big concept that I’ve learned. You’re not always 100% ready for a new opportunity or adventure but you’ve got to go for it,” she said.
Take a chance on yourself
Kinza Malik is an owner and managing partner at Medical Home Pharmacy, which has two locations in the Trenton, New Jersey, area. She was working alongside her mentor at other independent pharmacies when he asked her if she’d like to become a pharmacy owner. With his help and resources, she found a business partner to run the pharmacy with her. Looking back, she is grateful that someone believed in her, and that she believed in herself.
“Working my way up to where I am now is mind-blowing,” Malik said. “It wasn’t something I ever expected. I only got here because my business partner wanted to take a chance on me, and I took a chance on them. I’m very glad I did take that chance because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
Malik’s pharmacy is located in a diverse community with a population that includes Black, Latino, Pakistani, and South Asian patients. As a Pakistani, Malik brings a unique perspective that has helped break down cultural and gender barriers to care.
“In certain cultural groups, women may not be comfortable with expressing too much, whether it’s to their doctor or at the pharmacy, about what kinds of medications they need or issues they may have,” said Malik. “I can get more involved with them because I can speak to them in their language. I understand what they’re going through.”
Malik said that for her, confidence has been key to her success. That confidence has made all the difference in her career, allowing her to pursue new opportunities for her pharmacy, such as hosting vaccine clinics and offering durable medical equipment for diabetes patients.
“My advice to other young women in pharmacy is, ‘Be confident in yourself, and take a chance on you.’ When you’re confident it shows in your work, it shows in your business relationships, and it allows people to trust you,” Malik said.
Have an ownership mentality
Outside the pharmacy, Britt noted that women leaders often navigate the challenge of “being the only one in the room.” In her experience, Britt said, having the right mindset and support system has made all the difference. Her advice to other women leaders is to focus on progress, not perfection.
“Something I’ve learned in my own career journey is that you just need to throw yourself into opportunities and not be afraid to make a mistake. Have an ownership mentality no matter what you’re doing, each and every day,” Britt said.
