Message to Loyal Customers: Loblaw says business as usual at our pharmacies
in Ontario

TORONTO, April 9 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) assures its customers that it is business as usual at all of its Ontario in-store pharmacies despite recent reports from other retailers suggesting that many pharmacies will lay-off staff, reduce services and close stores in Ontario.

Loblaw is reviewing the Ontario Government's proposed prescription drug reforms and evaluating the potential impact on its business and will be exploring opportunities to mitigate that impact.

"We are supportive of the overall objectives of the Ontario Community Pharmacists Coalition on this issue and we recognize that the Government's proposed changes will have an impact on our business. However, we believe our customers' interests are paramount and we will continue to offer the services our customers expect from us," said Andrew Iacobucci, senior vice-president, Drug Business Unit, Loblaw Companies Limited.

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.

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