Pharmacy isn’t just about filling prescriptions anymore. From research labs to data-driven health tech, the field is bursting with new opportunities. One area that’s really exciting is entrepreneurship in pharmacy — where pharmacists are stepping up to create new ways to care for people.
I want to introduce you to Franklin Roye, PharmD, who’s doing just that. He’s the co-founder and president of IndyCare, a community health center in North Carolina that’s redefining what a pharmacy can be.
Who is Franklin Roye?
Franklin isn’t your typical pharmacist. He and his team built a model that combines the friendly, local feel of an independent pharmacy with a full medical clinic right inside. It’s all about making care easier, faster, and more personal for patients — all under one roof.
This means pharmacists don’t just hand out medicines; they’re working alongside doctors and nurses to really help people manage their health, and they get paid for this deeper level of care.
What Makes This Practice Different?
You might have seen clinics inside big chain pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens, but what Franklin and IndyCare have done is a bit different. Their model lets pharmacists take a bigger role, turning quick visits into meaningful health conversations.
This collaboration between pharmacists and medical providers is new and changing how people get care in their own neighborhoods.
How Did Franklin Get Here?
Franklin’s career path is pretty unique. After pharmacy school, instead of jumping right into a pharmacy job, he spent years in the biopharmaceutical world doing sales, marketing, and consulting. His work took him from North Carolina to New York, then all the way to Singapore, leading teams across Asia-Pacific.
That global experience gave him a deep understanding of healthcare from many angles — business, science, and culture. Three years ago, he returned to the U.S. and started IndyCare with a friend from pharmacy school.
A Typical Day for Franklin
Franklin’s days start early — around 5 a.m. He likes to get some quiet time, exercise, and plan before the day kicks in. He’s on site at the pharmacy and clinic about three days a week, handling everything from training staff to launching new services and solving problems as they come.
The other days, he’s focused on growing the business — finding new partners, exploring opportunities, and planning for the future.
What Keeps Him Going?
For Franklin, the best part is hearing how much patients appreciate their care. The positive feedback has been overwhelming and reminds him why all the hard work matters.
The Challenges
The U.S. healthcare system is tough to navigate, especially when you’re trying something new. Franklin faces a lot of rules, regulations, and insurance hurdles, but he’s learned to keep pushing through.
Advice for Pharmacy Students
Franklin encourages students to learn more than just the science. Business, data skills, and understanding healthcare trends are just as important.
He also suggests getting varied experiences outside traditional pharmacy settings and staying curious.
Advice for High School Students
Pharmacy offers a solid education that can lead to many career paths — not just dispensing medicines but also in healthcare leadership, technology, and more.
Franklin reminds us that the pharmacy world is changing fast, so keeping an open mind about what the future holds is key.
A Story That Stands Out
One memorable moment for Franklin was when a man reached out for help getting a COVID test for his elderly, homebound mother with Alzheimer’s. Other places turned them away due to strict policies, but IndyCare stepped up without hesitation.
“That’s what healthcare should be about,” Franklin says — breaking down barriers and using what you have to help people who really need it.
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