Pharmascience inaugurates new Dorval distribution centre to centralize shipments to customers in Canada and 60 countries around the world

Investment of $4 million for state-of-the-art facility of 156,000 square feet

MONTREAL, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Montreal's Pharmascience Inc., Canada's 10th largest pharmaceutical company and third largest maker of generic drugs, today inaugurated a new, state-of-the-art distribution centre on 55th Avenue in Dorval, representing an investment of $4 million.

The new centre has 156,000 square feet, a total area greater than that of nine National Hockey League rinks. It meets or exceeds all Canadian and international regulations for storage and handling of medicines while providing increased capacity compared to the company's two other centres. Additionally, Pharmascience estimates a 15 to 20 per cent improvement in efficiency and productivity from the new centre. The new site will have 60 employees, including the company's customer service and quality assurance personnel.

"We are very pleased to make this key investment to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our supply chain for the benefit of our customers in Canada and around the world," said David Goodman, Chief Executive Officer. "This new facility reinforces the commitment of Pharmascience to provide industry-leading service to its customers."

Pharmascience, with 1,300 employees in total of which the majority are based in Quebec, is the largest pharmaceutical employer in the province. The company has grown from just five employees at its founding in Montreal 30 years ago.

The new distribution centre will improve service for Pharmascience customers by allowing the company to have one sole distribution point for all of its 300 families of products, which are available in approximately 2,500 different sizes and formats. The facility can accommodate 10,000 pallets of products at one time. Pharmascience exports its products from Montreal to more than 60 countries.

The company chose the 55th Avenue location, just north of Highway 20, because of its proximity to both the company's main manufacturing facility and all major arteries out of the city. The project to develop the new distribution centre has been in progress since December 2011.

About Pharmascience Inc.
Founded in 1983 in Montreal, where its headquarters remain, privately held Pharmascience Inc. is Canada's 10th-largest pharmaceutical company. Its generic drug division is Canada's third largest.  It also makes and distributes patented prescription and over-the-counter treatments through its Pendopharm division while its Aegera Therapeutics team is researching innovative new biotechnology therapies. Through its International Division, its products are exported to 60 countries around the world. Pharmascience is one of Canada's leading corporate investors in research and development and employs more than 1,300 people, primarily in Montreal. Over the years, Pharmascience has donated products with a wholesale value of $40 million for overseas humanitarian use, making it one of the most generous product donors in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. www.pharmascience.com

SOURCE: Pharmascience Inc.

For further information:

Silvie Letendre
Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications
Pharmascience Inc.
Mobile: [phone]
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