McKesson ideaShare 2026: How AI, Diversification, and Peer Learning Are Shaping Pharmacy Education

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Jaime Montuoro, PharmD, director of education and practice advancement at McKesson, broke down the strategy behind this year's educational programming at McKesson ideaShare 2026, taking place in Denver, Colorado. Montuoro explained how the curriculum—spanning continuing education (CE) sessions, peer-driven Pharma Talks, and hands-on Learning Labs—was shaped by attendee feedback and the operational, clinical, and advocacy priorities facing independent pharmacies today.

Montuoro previewed several sessions Pharmacy Times will be covering on-site, including a discussion on how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are reshaping the dispensing experience, lessons from Health Mart's Pharmacy of the Year finalists, and strategies for diversifying into specialty and infusion services. Montuoro also spotlighted a new collaboration with the APhA Foundation centered on expanding diabetes prevention services, particularly in rural communities. She emphasized hands-on engagement with emerging technologies and the value of peer networking throughout the conference.

Pharmacy Times: Walk us through how the educational programming for ideaShare 2026 came together. From CE sessions to Pharma Talks to Learning Labs, what was the strategic thinking behind this year's curriculum, and what are the top priorities or themes you wanted independent pharmacists to walk away from Denver with?

Jaime Montuoro, PharmD: Our approach to McKesson ideaShare 2026 educational programming started with a simple goal: deliver practical, actionable education that reflects the realities of independent pharmacy today. We looked closely at feedback from past attendees, current industry dynamics, and the day-to-day challenges pharmacists are facing. The result is a curriculum that brings together CE sessions, peer-driven Pharma Talks, and hands-on Learning Labs to create a well-rounded experience.

Across these formats, we focused on a few key priorities. First, helping pharmacies strengthen operational performance and business sustainability in a changing environment. Second, advancing patient care through new services, clinical models, and emerging technologies. And third, reinforcing the importance of advocacy and community impact, which continue to be central to the future of independent pharmacy.

We want attendees to leave Denver with ideas they can apply right away and with a stronger sense of how they can move their businesses forward while continuing to deliver personalized care in their communities.

Pharmacy Times: One of the Pharma Talks Pharmacy Times will be covering is "Beyond the Bottle: How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Dispensing Experience." What can attendees expect to take away from that conversation, and how does it reflect where you see technology heading in independent pharmacy operations more broadly?

Montuoro: AI and automation are beginning to make a difference across health care, for providers and patients alike. This session is focused on how they are starting to reshape the dispensing experience to reduce some of the operational burden that independent community pharmacies face.

Attendees can expect a practical discussion on how these tools are already making an impact, from streamlining workflows to improving inventory management and enabling more efficient dispensing processes. They’ll hear real-world examples from peers who have implemented these technologies in their pharmacies, including lessons learned and considerations for getting started.

More broadly, this session reflects a larger shift in pharmacy. Technology is creating opportunities to take repetitive, time-intensive tasks off the pharmacist’s and pharmacy technician’s plates, allowing them to focus more on higher-value services and diversifying beyond traditional dispensing. The goal is not to replace the people in the pharmacy but to improve efficiency, patient experience, and ultimately health outcomes.

Pharmacy Times: Another standout session is "Excellence in Practice: Insights from Health Mart's Pharmacy of the Year Finalists." Why is peer-to-peer storytelling such a central piece of ideaShare's educational philosophy, and what kinds of practical, replicable strategies do you expect this year's finalists to share with the room?

Montuoro: Peer-to-peer learning has always been a cornerstone of McKesson ideaShare because pharmacists consistently tell us that they learn best from each other. The Pharmacy of the Year program recognizes pharmacies that are delivering strong patient care, driving business innovation and making a meaningful impact in their communities. This session will highlight the stories of this year’s finalists to show what independent community pharmacy success looks like in practice.

What makes this session especially valuable is the level of practical insight provided. Attendees will hear directly from their peers about how they’re expanding clinical services and strengthening operations to build a sustainable business and better serve their communities. These aren’t theoretical ideas. They’re tested approaches that others can take, adapt, and apply in their own pharmacies.

Pharmacy Times: "Diversification Through Specialty and Infusion Service" speaks to a broader industry push for independent pharmacies to expand beyond traditional dispensing. What's driving that diversification trend this year, and how is the programming designed to help pharmacies at different stages of growth—and with different resources—take those first steps?

Montuoro: We are seeing continued momentum around service diversification, driven by a combination of evolving patient and community needs and a shifting reimbursement landscape. Expanding into growing areas like specialty and infusion allows independent pharmacies to build new revenue streams while also improving access to care in their communities.

As with all our Pharma Talks, this session will give attendees the opportunity to hear directly from pharmacy owners who have already taken this leap. They’ll share what it took to add specialty dispensing and infusion services to their business, along with common implementation hurdles and practical lessons learned.

Our educational programming is designed to meet pharmacies where they are. For those just starting to explore service diversification, we cover foundational considerations like operational readiness and workflow design. For those who are farther along in their journey, we offer deeper discussions on scaling services and optimizing performance.

Pharmacy Times: Stepping back from those specific Pharma Talks, what other sessions, Learning Labs, or themes are you most excited about for 2026?

Montuoro: One of the themes I’m most excited about this year is the continued focus on innovation paired with real-world application. We’re highlighting emerging technologies like AI not only through our scheduled sessions but also by giving attendees the chance to engage with these tools directly through hands-on experiences and interactive demonstrations.

I'm also pleased to highlight our collaboration with the APhA Foundation in the Learning Lab “Transforming Care in Community Pharmacy.” We'll cover how to participate in the APhA Foundation's Umbrella Hub for the Diabetes Prevention Program for patients enrolled in Medicare. This initiative enables pharmacies, especially in rural areas, to provide access to essential diabetes education and prevention services.

We’ve worked hard to make sure that there’s truly something for everyone at McKesson ideaShare. Our sessions cover a broad range of topics relevant to independent pharmacy, and they’re complemented by the connections that happen throughout the event. With so many opportunities to engage with peers, attendees are able to exchange ideas, learn from one another’s experiences, and build relationships that extend well beyond the event itself.

Pharmacy Times: For a pharmacist trying to map out their schedule with so much programming on offer, what's your advice for prioritizing where to spend their time?

Montuoro: With so much programming available, my advice is to start with your biggest business priorities. If you’re focused on growth, look for sessions on diversification and new services. If operational efficiency is top of mind, prioritize content around workflow optimization and automation. And if staying on top of evolving industry shifts is your priority, look for sessions on advocacy and policy.

At the same time, I would also encourage attendees to build a balanced schedule. Mix general sessions with Pharma Talks, Learning Labs, and CE courses to get the most out of your time in Denver. And of course, leave plenty of room for networking. Some of the most valuable takeaways at McKesson ideaShare come directly from other pharmacists sharing their stories. I also recommend that attendees download the McKesson ideaShare app, which allows them to plan for their experience ahead of time with scheduling, event maps, exhibitor lists, and more.