TORONTO, Jan. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Starting now, Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists in Alberta can now offer flu screening in-store – a first for Canadian pharmacies.
"This is yet another way Shoppers Drug Mart is helping to relieve the pressures on the health care system by delivering new services to help improve the health of Canadians," said Ashley Davidson, an Edmonton-based Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist-owner. "I'm excited to be among the first pharmacists in Canada to offer this new on-the-spot flu screening tool to our customers and patients."
Patients can now get screened for influenza A or B using a new flu screening tool available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. Results are available 10 minutes after the screening is administered by the pharmacist, who takes a simple nose swab from the patient. The price for the flu screening is $25. In Alberta, many pharmacists now have Additional Prescribing Authorization, which gives them the ability to prescribe treatment depending on the screening results and if appropriate for the patient.
"Early detection of influenza is a critical step in appropriately treating the flu, particularly in high risk populations," said Amani Chehade, a Calgary-based Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist-owner. "We are committed to improving the health and well being of our customers and patients – and on-the-spot flu screening is another tool we can use to achieve that goal."
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, influenza cases result in approximately 12,000 hospitalizations, and on average, 3,500 deaths in Canada each year. This new tool will increase access for screening and treatment of the flu at each of the 147 Shoppers Drug Mart stores in Alberta. Residents can still help reduce the likelihood of getting the flu altogether by getting a flu shot, which is the single best way to prevent the flu. Visit the flu shot finder at shoppersdrugmart.ca to find a store near you.
About Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With more than 1,253 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns 56 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and six luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 62 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities. Shoppers Drug Mart is a unique and independent operating division of Loblaw Companies Limited.
For more information, visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose - Live Life Well - puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the Company's stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; no-fee banking with PC Financial; affordable Joe Fresh fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.
For more information, visit Loblaw's website at www.loblaw.ca and Loblaw's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Video with caption: "Video: Albertans Get First Access to On-The-Spot Flu Screening through Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacists". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150105_C5151_VIDEO_EN_9924.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150105_C5151_VIDEO_EN_9924.jpg&order=1&jdd=20150105&cnum=C5151
Media Contact: Lana Gogas, Manager, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart, 416.493.1220 ext 5141, [email protected]
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec). With more than 1,300 Shoppers Drug Mart...
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