Donation to benefit the Blueprint for Pharmacy initiative
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Shoppers Drug Mart announced today that it is making a $250,000 donation to support The Blueprint for Pharmacy Implementation Strategy. The Blueprint for Pharmacy is a long-term initiative designed to catalyze, coordinate and facilitate the changes required to align pharmacy practice with the health care needs of Canadians.
Shoppers Drug Mart's donation will be designated to funding strategic research to evaluate the impact of health care policies on pharmacy practices. "The expansion of pharmacy practice and implementation of government-funded pharmacy services, such as medication reviews, is a significant step forward for pharmacy," said Domenic Pilla, President and CEO, Shoppers Drug Mart. "This research will provide further evidence of the impact that patient-centered pharmacy services have on improving health outcomes for Canadians, while at the same time easing the burden on our health care system."
"Delivering optimal pharmacy care, at the right time, in the right setting, is critical in improving outcomes for Canadians and helping preserve and optimize our healthcare system," said Dr. Gideon Koren MD, FRCPC, FACMT and Director, The Motherisk Program, The Hospital for Sick Children. "I applaud Shoppers Drug Mart for its commitment to this important research as well as all those who are collaborating on the Blueprint for Pharmacy initiative."
The Blueprint for Pharmacy is an unprecedented collaboration of pharmacy stakeholders, led by the Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, and supported by pharmacy organizations across Canada, working to bring about significant and meaningful change to the profession and practice of pharmacy. In 2008, the landmark document Vision for Pharmacy was released: Optimal drug therapy outcomes for Canadians through patient-centered care. Building on that vision, the Implementation Plan for the Blueprint for Pharmacy was developed in 2009.Shoppers Drug Mart has played a leadership role in shaping this new vision and model for pharmacy services in Canada.
"An enormous effort by all stakeholders, including Shoppers Drug Mart, has seen so much being accomplished to date," said Dr. Dennis Gorecki, Chairman of the Blueprint for Pharmacy Steering Committee. "The Blueprint for Pharmacy is, however, now at the critical implementation stage which requires essential funding to ensure the successful completion of many important projects that will help drive the evolution of pharmacy practice. We are most grateful to Shoppers Drug Mart for their leadership and for stepping up to provide continued funding to help complete these projects and we hope that this donation will motivate other pharmacy stakeholders to also support this important initiative."
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 1,200 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 60 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé in Québec) and eight luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 63 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 in Ontario and Alberta.
Tammy Smitham
Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs
Shoppers Drug Mart
416-490-2892
[email protected]
Blueprint for Pharmacy Contact:
Conrad Amenta
Project Director, Blueprint for Pharmacy National Coordinating Office
The Canadian Pharmacists Association
1785 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON K1G 3Y6
P: (613) 523-7877 X 279
F: (613) 523-0445
[email protected]
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