TORONTO — The Guardian and I.D.A. independent pharmacy banners of McKesson Canada have entered into 10-year business development, technology and supply pacts with health care services provider Centric Health Corp.

Centric Health said Monday that under the agreements Guardian and I.D.A. will provide a range of pharmacy and distribution services, focusing on patient support. The companies will explore initiatives to improve care and deliver it more efficiently by leveraging technology, a broad network of community pharmacies and patient interventions.

Guardian and I.D.A. have committed to identifying and investing in channels that drive efficiencies and create value in the areas of pharmacy automation, system communications and distribution services, according to Centric Health.

The two Canadian pharmacy banners encompass more than 1,000 locations independently owned and operated by pharmacists.

“We are delighted to partner with Guardian and I.D.A. pharmacies, Canada’s leading network of independent pharmacist dedicated to improving patient care through pharmacy services, and benefit from their leading expertise and assets, including distribution solutions, automation, technology and medication management services,” David Cutler, president and chief executive officer of Centric Health, said in a statement. “Our alignment and collective intellectual focus is in keeping with governments’ ‘Patient First’ objective to ensure greater safety and better patient outcomes.”

Centric Health’s core health care businesses focus on specialty pharmacy and surgical/medical services. The Specialty Pharmacy division comprises a national network of fulfilment centres that deliver chronic medication and other specialty clinical care services, serving more than 25,000 residents in over 300 seniors communities (long-term care facilities, retirement homes and assisted living facilities. The division also provides pharmaceutical dispensing services for employees insured by corporate health plans.

Centric’s Surgical & Medical Centres division is Canada’s largest independent surgical provider, operating six facilities across four provinces.