Canadian pharmacy co-op pushes ahead with expansion

LANGLEY, British Columbia — Continuing its steady expansion, Pharmasave Drugs National Ltd. has reached a milestone with the opening of its 600th store.

One of Canada’s largest pharmacy operations, Pharmasave has drug stores across nine provinces and said that “many more are in the pipeline for 2017.” Over the past two years, the Langley, British Columbia-based, member-owned cooperative has grown by more than 70 stores, including by about 50 stores during the past year.

“Since 1981, when we opened up the first Pharmasave stores in B.C., our business has been building one customer at a time and growing one store at a time,” Carmen Churcott, chief executive officer of Pharmasave National, said in a statement. “At the same time, we’ve been working hard to earn a reputation for relationship-based care, personalized service and innovation.”

Executives at Pharmasave have attributed the cooperative’s growth to its community-centric focus, personalized service, strong marketing and business support, and ability to attract top-notch pharmacist-owners. Its pharmacy and health products and services include medication consultations, flu shots, travel health, diabetes, disease management for chronic conditions, and home health care.

To meet its pharmacist-owners’ needs, Pharmasave provides support for a variety of formats, ranging from smaller, dispensary-focused pharmacies to large stores with full front-end offerings. Store owners and their teams have access to a suite of operations, human resources, technology, marketing, merchandising, business development and private label support, as well as to professional services resources, programs and products.

Pharmasave’s private-label line encompasses more than 700 SKUs and covers a wide range of categories, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, health and beauty aids, water, household paper goods, home health care and first aid.

“With comprehensive support for efficient dispensary operations, pharmacy services and front-store retailing, we offer the highest value to independent pharmacy owners,” according to Churcott. “In today’s competitive retail environment, operational excellence and a proven business success formula are needed to deliver strong business results, and that’s what Pharmasave offers independent pharmacies.”

Churcott noted that another linchpin of Pharmasave’s growth has been its ability to build a strong, trusted national brand that also helps cultivate the independent spirit and personalized service of community pharmacy owners.

“As each store serves its individual community, Pharmasave stores embrace the unique opportunities in their markets and customize products and services to best meet the needs of local shoppers,” she added.