IPA Annual Meetings

2024 IPA Annual Meeting

The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy (IPA) held its annual meeting Sunday, July 28 during the 2024 TPA Conference & Expo. IPA Chair Danny Vela highlighted the Academy's achievements during the past year and opportunities for growth. Special guest Ronna Hauser, Senior Vice President of Policy and Pharmacy Affairs for the National Community Pharmacists Association, provided a brief update of federal legislative activities related to PBM reform and other pharmacy issues. TPA lobbyist Duane Galligher discussed ongoing advocacy efforts with state agencies and offered a preview of the 2025 Texas legislative session, which begins in January. Finally, TPA President Jobby John installed Ben McNabb (owner of Love Oak Pharmacy in Eastland) as Chair of IPA, as well as Crystal McEntire (owner of Hyland's Pharmacy in Wheeler) as Chair-Elect and Laura Temple (owner of Laura’s Pharmacy in Azle) as Director #6.

2023 IPA Annual Meeting

The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy (IPA) held its annual meeting Sunday, July 30 during the 2023 TPA Conference & Expo. Chair Danny Vela highlighted the Academy's achievements during the past year and opportunities for growth. Special guest Crystal Lennartz of Health Mart Atlas and Atlas Specialty provided information about upcoming changes to pharmacy reimbursement, and TPA lobbyist Duane Galligher discussed ongoing efforts with the Texas Department of Insurance to ensure that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are complying with reforms passed by the Legislature in 2021. Finally, TPA President Jay Bueche installed Ben McNabb (owner of Love Oak Pharmacy in Eastland) as Chair-Elect of IPA.

2022 IPA Annual Meeting

The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy (IPA) held its first-ever in-person annual meeting Sunday, July 17, during the 2022 TPA Conference & Expo. IPA Chair Robert Emfinger highlighted the Academy's achievements during the past year and discussed opportunities for membership growth. TPA President Carter High installed the new officers and directors of the Academy Board, including Danny Vela, R.Ph. (owner of Lee's Pharmacy in McAllen) as incoming Chair; newly elected J.D. Fain, Pharm.D. (owner of Pieratt’s Pharmacy in Giddings) as Chair-Elect; and newly elected Raj Chhadua, Pharm.D. (owner of ReNue Apothecary in Frisco) as Director #6.

2021 IPA Annual Meeting

The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy (IPA) held its annual meeting Thursday, July 29. IPA Chair Aaron Gibson highlighted the Academy's achievements and growth during the past year. TPA President Michelle Beall installed the officers and directors of the Academy Board, including Robert Emfinger, R.Ph. (owner of Kemp Family Pharmacy, Kemp) as incoming Chair, newly elected Danny Vela, R.Ph. (owner of Lee's Pharmacy in McAllen) as Chair-Elect and Adam Bayer, Pharm.D. (owner of Hillcrest Pharmacy in Vernon) as Director #6.

2020 IPA Annual Meeting

The Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy held its first annual meeting Thursday, July 23. TPA President Raj Chhadua formally installed members of the Academy’s inaugural Board of Directors, who discussed their plans to strengthen and unify the voice of independent pharmacy in Texas with a more powerful public affairs and lobbying force to advance critical legislative priorities, such as meaningful PBM reform, that are especially important to the sustainability of independent pharmacies.

IPA News

Texas Pharmacy Association Announces New Academy to Strengthen, Unite Independent Pharmacy

June 25, 2020

In a bold move to strengthen and unite the voice of independent pharmacy in the Lone Star State, the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) is excited to announce the launch of its Independent Pharmacy Academy and welcomes members of the Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas as charter members of the Academy.

“As the only organization in Texas representing all pharmacy professionals in all practice settings, TPA is uniquely positioned to be a strong advocate for independent pharmacy in our state,” TPA President Raj Chhadua said. “The time has come for pharmacy to unify in Texas. Our new Independent Pharmacy Academy strengthens our ability to advocate for critical issues, such as meaningful Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform legislation, that are especially important to the sustainability of independent pharmacies in Texas.”

TPA and Alliance leaders recognized that for the profession to be most effective with its public policy agenda, pharmacy must speak with one voice. Both groups have worked for months to unite independent pharmacy to positively impact the profession. The Independent Pharmacy Academy is designed to advance independent pharmacy’s legislative priorities in Texas in a more robust and effective manner, with the resources and brand necessary to influence state officials. TPA is grateful to the Alliance for providing initial funding to create a more powerful public affairs and lobbying force.

“The Alliance Board concluded that the best option for our voice to be heard is to unite with our state association,” said Alliance President Carter High. “The Texas Pharmacy Association has a name that carries weight at the Capitol. We strongly believe that aligning our organization, values, and culture with TPA gives independent pharmacy its best chance for legislative success. This new Academy is for all independent pharmacists in Texas and we welcome them.”

In addition to providing a more unified voice for effective pharmacy advocacy in Texas, the Academy aims to strengthen independent community pharmacy practice by creating a forum to share innovative and entrepreneurial practices, discuss business challenges, and identify solutions.

The Independent Pharmacy Academy will operate as part of TPA and will be governed by its own bylaws and elected leadership. Academy members must be active members of TPA and must pay applicable dues to the Academy as an owner, pharmacist, or associate. More information about joining the Academy will be announced in the coming weeks.

Independent Pharmacy Academy Welcomes TIPA Members as Groups Unite with Texas Pharmacy Association

September 30, 2020

Independent pharmacists in Texas are continuing to join forces under one banner as they plan for the 2021 Texas legislative session. Today the Texas Pharmacy Association’s (TPA) Independent Pharmacy Academy is pleased to welcome members of the Texas Independent Pharmacies Association (TIPA) as its newest members. TIPA is the second independent pharmacy organization in Texas to unite with TPA and join the Academy, following a similar decision earlier this summer by the Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas.

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Independent Pharmacy Academy Welcomes PBA Health/Texas TrueCare

December 21, 2020

Recognizing the need for independent pharmacists in Texas to band together and speak with one voice, Texas TrueCare, the legislative advocacy brand of PBA Health, is joining forces under the banner of the Texas Pharmacy Association’s Independent Pharmacy Academy for its legislative and regulatory advocacy activity.

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