As the community pharmacist baby boomer generation continues it's inevitable march towards life after pharmacy, creating a pharmacy succession plan is becoming more of a focal point for them.  However, many pharmacists do not understand how comprehensive a succession plan should be.  The comprehensive nature of succession planning is due to the magnitude of importance to most community pharmacists.  Many of them are counting on the proceeds from the sale of the pharmacy to help support their life after pharmacy which makes this one of the most vulnerable times in their pharmacy lives.  The following are three very imporant tips for creating a successful pharmacy succession plan for a community pharmacist.

1. Write down your goals for succession: Most pharmacists do not have written goals.  Writing succession goals down helps establish the vision for the plan. This also allows pharmacists to measure progress which is imperative because succession plans are dynamic in nature.
2. It is never too soon or too late for a plan: Wayne Gretsky one time said in response to a question about him being the greatest hockey player ever to lace up ice skates, "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where the puck is."  Life after pharmacy is inevitable and many pharmacists only get one shot to make it successful.  Having a game plan for succession is critical for success and a proper succession plan can take three to five years to complete.
3. Don't forget the contingency plan: Many pharmacists forget this important part of a pharmacy succession plan.  Having a game plan for an unfortunate premature death, disability or need for long term care is imperative for the legacies of community pharmacists.

With all the things going on in the community pharmacy world, planning for succession and life after pharmacy can be an afterthought.  However, this is one of the most important things community pharmacists can do to make sure future generations have the ability to go to an independent community pharmacy.  How effectively the pharmacy baby boomers execute these succession plans will determine the health of community pharmacies for many generations to come.