TORONTO — Loblaw Cos./Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), Canada’s largest food and drug retailer, has rejoined the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada.

The company’s return “is an important recognition of the benefits of association membership, our strategic plan and the work under way to innovate the pharmacy reimbursement model with emphasis on patient health outcomes,” stated Justin Bates, chief executive officer of Neighbourhood Pharmacies.

News of Loblaw’s and SDM’s departure from the trade group had emerged after the retailers closed their merger in 2014.

“Our industry is steadily and successfully expanding our focus beyond just providing prescription medications to providing Canadians with comprehensive patient-centered pharmacy services that help improve health and well-being,” commented Jeff Leger, executive vice president of pharmacy and health care at SDM. “With an ongoing requirement to address both professional and business issues there is a need for aligned support for all the Canadian pharmacy associations to advocate on behalf of our sector.”

According to Vivek Sood, association chair and general manager of Sobeys National Pharmacy Group, “This strengthens the association’s platform by demonstrating our commitment to work with all stakeholders.”