Loblaw opens first small model in-store pharmacy

BRAMPTON, ON, July 21 /CNW/ - The adage that good things often come in small packages is appropriate as Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) announced today that it has opened its first small model in-store pharmacy. At approximately 400 square feet, the new model pharmacy offers the same amenities and convenience as a larger size pharmacy, but in a compact area and helps to fulfill the Company's vision to grow the number of pharmacies in its stores.

"Our goal is to provide convenience, quality and value to our customers. With this small model, we now have the ability to incorporate pharmacies into more of our stores, which will help complement our customers' food shopping experience," said Andrew Iacobucci, senior vice-president, Drug Business Unit, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Within this smaller footprint, we are pleased to be able to provide full pharmacy service with a highly trained and trusted pharmacy professional."

Loblaw pharmacies* typically exist in stores greater than 45,000 square feet but this new footprint enables the Company to build or retrofit pharmacies into stores under 30,000 square feet. Launching today at a nofrills(R) store in Ontario, Loblaw's new small model in-store pharmacy will be rolled out nationally across other banners over the course of the year. Featuring high density shelving to allow for greater efficiencies, new technology and a counselling room, this new pharmacy model is an opportunity to enhance the Company's overall service offering in its smaller grocery stores.

Today's announcement builds on recent changes Loblaw has made to some of its overall pharmacy services banner stores with an aim toward providing the best service and value:

    
    -   Changing the usual and customary fees for professional services when
        dispensing a drug product to one common fee and reducing the
        co-payment on customers' Ontario Drug Benefits eligible prescriptions
        by $2.00 at all its nofrills(R) banner stores in Ontario
    -   Extending hours at select Loblaw banner stores in Ontario while
        recruiting incremental pharmacy staff to help ensure customers' needs
        are met
    -   Rolling out new information technology to improve prescription
        processing times
    -   Implementing new methods to allow pharmacists to spend more time with
        their patients
    

Loblaw's first new small model in-store pharmacy is located at Dennis' nofrills(R) store, 6425 Erin Mills Parkway. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To learn more about Loblaw banner store pharmacies, visit www.drugstorepharmacy.ca.

*Please note, in Quebec, pharmacies are owned by pharmacists affiliated to Loblaw's pharmacy banner.

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 138,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice(R), no name(R) and Joe Fresh Style(R) brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial(R) services and offers the PC(R) points loyalty program.

For further information: Loblaw Public Relations at [email protected], [phone]