MARKHAM, Ontario — Pharmasave Ontario Ltd. is continuing its steady expansion.

Part of the Pharmasave Drugs National Ltd. cooperative, Pharmasave Ontario plans to open seven new stores in the first quarter. Several other stores are slated for late spring openings.

New Pharmasave locations are opening in East York and Lakeshore in Toronto, and two are opening in Mississauga by mid-March. Other new stores are upcoming for Vaughan, Sault Ste. Marie and Ingleside.

“We have been continually impressed with Pharmasave’s focus on bringing patient care and quality services and products to our communities. We now have seven Pharmasave locations across Ontario,” pharmacy owner Roger Daher stated. “We’re looking forward to welcoming our friends and neighbors to our newest locations in Mississauga, Dundas Street and Erin Creek in March,” he added.

Ingleside Pharmacy is due to convert to the Pharmasave banner in April. Besides pharmacy, health and wellness services, Ingleside offers more than 700 Pharmasave brand products. “We are focused on providing unique services like a certified diabetes educator to improve access to critical health care needs,” owner Bryan Haley commented.

Launched with 17 stores in 1997, Pharmasave Ontario said it’s on pace to reach 275 stores in 2016. It now has 265 locations. Overall, the Pharmasave national cooperative has more than 550 stores in nine provinces.