Strategic Alliances

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 is the first-established professional society of pharmacists within the United States.  APhA is the organization whose members are recognized in society as essential in all patient care settings for optimal medication use that improves health, wellness, and quality of life.  UPNI supports their efforts in the legislative arena at the national level as the current administration is looking to reform our healthcare delivery system.

The majority of the independent community pharmacies in Los Angeles County utilize ABC as their wholesale distributor and since approximately 80% of all community pharmacies in LA County belong to UPNI, our membership reflects this utilization.  Approximately 70% of all UPNI members are ABC customers and ABC provides a very generous support program that provides administration fees to enable UPNI to continue its operation and to provide patronage dividends to our members.  Because of this support, UPNI members who are ABC customers do not pay UPNI dues as an out of pocket expense.  ABC’s administrative support program pays their dues for them.  For this reason, ABC is our primary trading partner.  Furthermore, we are engaged in several initiatives with ABC, in the third party contracting arena, so the alliance is more than just a financial support arrangement.

FPN is a national association of 22 buying groups representing 14,000 independent community pharmacies.  The organization provides a platform for national networking and resource sharing among its members.  UPNI shares their mission to promote, advance and ensure the future of independent community pharmacies. UPNI Executive Director David Fong is a member of the Board of Directors. UPNI is an active member of FPN and has utilized the national network to develop relationships and programs of significant benefit to the organization as well as our members.

IPA was started to provide a platform for independent community pharmacists of East Asian Indian extraction to celebrate their ethnicity and preserve their culture.  They have grown into a potent political and economic force within the Southern California region.  UPNI’s mission is aligned with IPA’s as both organizations support independent community pharmacy ownership as a career path.

From our early days as a Task Force, prior to incorporation, UPNI has had a good working relationship with McKesson and we consider them to be a valuable strategic partner

NCPA was founded in 1898 to represent the interests of more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies across the United States. The nation’s independent pharmacists are small business entrepreneurs and multi-faceted health care providers who represent a vital part of the United States’ health care delivery system.  UPNI’s mission is aligned with NCPA’s in that we both advocate for the interest of independent community pharmacists and develop programs that will enhance their economic viability.

CPhA, founded in 1869, is the largest state association representing pharmacists in the nation.  CPhA represents pharmacy professionals from all practice settings.  As a corporate member, UPNI supports their mission to act as the leader in advocating the role of the pharmacist as an essential provider of health care and to support pharmacists in providing optimal patient care.