David Ford and Andrew Steeves of BioScript Pharmacy Ltd. named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Atlantic 2016

Annual awards gala celebrates outstanding local entrepreneurs

HALIFAX, Oct. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - David Ford, Co-Founder and Chairman and Andrew Steeves, Co-Founder and President of BioScript Pharmacy Ltd, a specialty pharmacy supporting the unique pharmaceutical needs of patients managing complex illnesses, are this year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Atlantic winners.

"In an industry dominated by big players and complex regulations, David and Andrew carved out significant market share in specialty pharmaceuticals," says Gina Kinsman, Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic Program Director. "Their persistent focus on high-quality customer service for their patients and stakeholders helped them build a strong reputation as humble and effective problem-solvers."

Specialty pharmaceuticals are medications for rare or complex diseases. They're either highly expensive, highly complex, require sensitive handling, or a combination of these factors. Often, there's limited availability of these medications and patients usually need some degree of financial support and help navigating multiple insurance plans to obtain special authorization for coverage. As a result, a typical retail pharmacy is not a good fit for specialty pharmaceuticals – that realization is what made David Ford start BioScript Pharmacy together with Andrew Steeves.

From day one, David and Andrew were driven by the desire to help people requiring these complex medications, as well as their physicians and other stakeholders. Since 2009, when the company was first established in Moncton, New Brunswick, the company has grown to operate 10 specialty pharmacies throughout Canada, with the 11^th state-of-the-art pharmacy opening soon in Ontario. As of 2015, BioScript is one of the two largest specialty pharmacy networks in Canada with an estimated 25% market share.

"David and Andrew are laser-focused on innovating to constantly improve service for their customers, while also creating a better work environment for their staff," says Kinsman. "Their ultimate goal speaks to their values-driven leadership – not to become the largest player in the industry, but to continue to provide excellent service to stakeholders while making smart decisions to help ensure job security of their employees. David and Andrew are most deserving of this award."

Special citation – social entrepreneurship

The 6 October gala also honoured Jessie Jollymore of Hope Blooms with an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Special Citation award for social entrepreneurship. 

Family Business Award of Excellence

Robyn Eddy, President of Eddy Group Ltd. was on hand to accept the Family Business Award of Excellence on behalf of the Eddy Family, one of Atlantic Canada's outstanding entrepreneurial families.

What's next?

As the Atlantic region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016, David and Andrew will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Quebec regions for the national honour of Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016, to be presented at a gala celebration on 22 November 2016 in Toronto. In June 2017, Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.

More information
Follow @EYCanada, #EOY and #EOYAtlantic on Twitter for the latest event updates
Visit ey.com/ca/eoy for more program details and a complete list of category finalists and gala dates in the regions. 

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic 2016 category award recipients:

Business services

Paul Pynn
One Wind Services Inc. | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
www.onewindinc.com
A professional service organization serving the North American wind energy market.

Business-to-business products and services

Thomas Soucy
Groupe Westco Inc. | Saint-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick
www.groupewestco.com
One of Canada's largest integrated poultry farming organizations, with hatcheries, breeding farms and related shipping companies.

Business-to-consumer products and services

Alex MacLean
East Coast Lifestyle | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.eastcoastlifestyle.com
Designs and produces unique, high-profile clothing that showcases Atlantic Canadian pride.

Health sciences

David Ford and Andrew Steeves
BioScript Pharmacy Ltd. | Moncton, New Brunswick
www.bioscript.ca
A specialty pharmacy supporting the unique biological and specialty pharmaceutical needs of patients managing complex illnesses and the physicians who treat them.

Hospitality/Tourism

Tony Nahas
Mezza Lebanese Restaurant Group | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.mezzalebanesekitchen.com
A fast-casual franchise chain specializing in Lebanese cuisine that uses locally sourced meats, poultry, produce, and bread.

Information technology

Travis McDonough
Kinduct Technologies Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.kinduct.com
Specializes in human performance software solutions for professional and amateur sports organizations as well as military, public safety, and health and wellness organizations. 

Media and entertainment

Paul Rigg
Copernicus Studios Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.copernicus.ca
Develops original entertainment media, supplies animated television content, and produces gaming and educational content for the evolving apps market.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in 60 countries.

The 2016 Atlantic independent judging panel consists of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Managing Director, Cabot Links Ventures Inc.; Dr. Kenneth A. (Sandy) Maclver, Director, Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies, Mount Allison University; Nancy Mathis, Executive Director, Wallace McCain Institute; and Iris Petten, President, Petten Holdings Inc.

This year's program national sponsors are TEC Canada, La Presse, RDI, The TMX Group, The Globe and Mail Inc., Merrill Corporation, Kira Talent, Air Canada and The Printing House Limited. Atlantic regional sponsors are Progress Media, Royal Bank of Canada and McInnes Cooper.

About EY's Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. For more than 150 years in Canada, we've delivered the insights and quality services that help build trust and confidence in capital markets here and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

For more information about the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
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SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)

about this press release, gala information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Leigh Kjekstad, [email protected], 604 648 3807; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308; Sasha Anopina, [email protected], 416 943 2637