McKesson Canada to Help Athletes Stay Healthy at TORONTO 2015 Games

Company named Official Pharmacy Supplier of the "People's Games"

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Athletes requiring first-aid supplies, over-the-counter and prescription medications will find plenty in stock at the Athletes' Village for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, thanks to McKesson Canada's I.D.A., Guardian, PROXIM and Medicine Shoppe Canada banners.

As the Official Pharmacy Supplier of the Games, the four banners will provide a variety of medical supplies and volunteer pharmacists, as well as set up the pharmacy contained in the world-class Polyclinic under construction at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes' Village.

"McKesson Canada and our four banners representing 1,650 independent community pharmacies across the country are proud to partner with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games," said Mike Lund, Senior Vice President, Retail Banner Management Services.

"We've been in business for more than 100 years and have built our reputation on ensuring better health for patients from coast to coast," he continued. "Our pharmacy members look forward to sharing their expertise and doing their part to help keep athletes healthy in 2015."

In the summer of 2015, the Village will be a hive of activity as up to 7,500 athletes from 41 countries train for competitions throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe region and relax in downtown Toronto.

The materials will be shipped to the Village from McKesson's four Ontario distribution centres, located in Brampton, Trenton, Ottawa and Chatham, which supply McKesson customers in the province.

"McKesson promises to be a wonderful partner for the TORONTO 2015 Games," said Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "Their products and pharmacy expertise will help ensure the Polyclinic offers first-rate service, medicines and products for our visiting athletes."

In addition, specific Atoma and Diem brand products carried by McKesson's four banners will showcase their partnership with the Games, starting in January 2014.

"We welcome McKesson to our TO2015 health care team. Their contribution will go beyond supplies and staffing; it will enhance the athlete experience through the delivery of high-quality care in all of our venues and villages," said Dr. Julia Alleyne, TO2015's chief medical officer.

McKesson Canada joins previously announced members of the TORONTO 2015 sponsor family, including Lead Partner CIBC, Premier Partners Chevrolet Canada and CISCO, Opening Ceremony Creative Partner Cirque du Soleil, as well as Official Suppliers Beanfield Metroconnect, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, FUSE Marketing Group, the Royal Canadian Mint, Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Toronto Star, and Official Broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada.

About McKesson Canada
Founded more than 100 years ago, McKesson Canada is dedicated to delivering vital medicines, supplies and information technologies that enable the health care industry to provide patients with better, safer care. Our solutions empower pharmacies, manufacturers, hospitals and other health care institutions by enabling them to get closer to the millions of patients they serve every single day, while contributing to the quality and safety of care in Canada.

Through our four retail banners, Guardian, I.D.A., PROXIM and Medicine Shoppe Canada, we support 1,650 independent pharmacies across Canada. The McKesson Canada affiliated banners have a long history of championing independent pharmacies, through personalized patient care, which is at the heart of the programs and services they offer.

About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with the responsibility of planning, managing and delivering the Games. Its mission is to ignite the spirit through a celebration of sport and culture. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14.

The 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as other partners and sponsors. CIBC is the Lead Partner of the Games.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.

SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

For further information:

Teddy Katz
Director, Media Relations and Chief Spokesperson, TO2015
C: 647.404.5263
[e-mail]

Danièle Dufour
Director, Corporate Communications, McKesson Canada
514.832.8473
[e-mail]