Top independent pharmacists will come together this February with Pharmacy Development Services (PDS) in order to explore strategies to grow in a radically changing health care market. And where pharmacies are growing you’ll find Parata Systems, proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2013 Independent Pharmacy Business Growth Conference (www.pharmacyowners.com/conference/bgc13) for the second year in a row.

This is the ninth annual Growth Conference hosted for independent pharmacies by PDS, a consulting services company dedicated to transforming independent pharmacy owners into extraordinary, progressive entrepreneurs through knowledge, skills, strategies and bold ideas. For 15 years the PDS methodology has helped hundreds of motivated pharmacy owners realize their full potential for growth and career satisfaction.

“Pharmacy is a tough business, especially for independents. PDS creates an environment where pharmacists can get excited about their mission to care for patients, become energized by peers who are pursuing innovative strategies and engage with companies like ours that provide the technology tools that free them to execute,” Tom Rhoads, CEO of Parata Systems said. “Parata was proud to sponsor last year’s event, and we look forward to again leading the conversation about how automation can be the engine to drive innovative pharmacy care.”

These two powerful industry partners have teamed up in order to equip entrepreneurial pharmacists with the tools and support needed to succeed in the emerging accountable care reimbursement models, and will emphasize the importance of breaking out of routine business practices in order to demonstrate the ability to impact outcomes through wellness and adherence.

While Parata will showcase its entire suite of automation solutions at the event, it will put a special spotlight on Parata PASS™ (Patient Adherence Strip System) products. Parata PASS automatically packages medications into a strip of unit- or multi-dose bags, organized the way people take them: by date and time of day, which promotes adherence in any setting—from long-term care to assisted living to at-home patients. By differentiating themselves with PASS Pack, pharmacies can help impact health outcomes and cost of care, especially with their chronic patients, while freeing labor for other business services.

“We’re pleased to welcome Parata back to our Growth Conference this year,” said Dan Benamoz, CEO and founder of PDS. “Thanks to their generous support, we’re able to continue providing independent pharmacists with valuable tools that allow them to remain competitive in our ever-changing industry.”

The Independent Pharmacy Business Growth Conference is the single largest gathering of high-performance pharmacy owners. The 2013 event will be held Feb. 21-23 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. For more information or to register for the conference, visit http://www.pharmacyowners.com/conference/bgc13.

About Parata Systems

Durham, N.C.-based Parata Systems, LLC, was founded in 2001 and provides powerful pharmacy automation technology to improve dispensing safety and productivity. Next-generation Parata Max^® and Parata Mini^® deliver the highest accuracy, speed and productivity for the lowest cost per prescription. Parata PASS™ generates customized unit- and multi-dose strip packaging that improves safety and adherence for retail and long-term care patients, and eases the demands of short-cycle dispensing. Pharmacy 2000™ workflow software ensures consistency and accuracy across the pharmacy’s entire prescription workflow. To learn more, call, click or visit Parata Systems, www.parata.com, info@parata.com, 1-888-PARATA1 (727-2821), Facebook (www.facebook.com/paratasystems) and Twitter (@paratasystems).

About Pharmacy Development Services

Pharmacy Development Services (PDS), headquartered in Palm Springs, Fla., is the only all-in-one marketing and business-education company that helps independent pharmacy owners transform their businesses. The PDS team believes opportunities are everywhere. Fortunes are made in transitional times by skilled, progressive independents, and PDS turns ordinary entrepreneurs into extraordinary ones through coaching, mentoring and innovation. PDS bridges the gap between what pharmacy owners weren't taught in pharmacy school and what they need to know about running a business so it won't run them. In addition, PDS hosts the Independent Pharmacy Business Growth Conference, which is the single largest gathering of high performance pharmacy owners in the industry. To learn more about PDS and the Growth Conference, visit www.pharmacyowners.com.