Shoppers Drug Mart Applauds Government of Newfoundland for Making Healthcare More Accessible Across the Province

List of insured minor ailments delivered by pharmacists grows by 10

TORONTO, April 4, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, Shoppers Drug Mart applauded the government of Newfoundland for the decision to insure 10 additional minor ailments and prescription renewals delivered by pharmacists, making access to vital healthcare services easier and more affordable for those who need them. As of today, patients with a valid healthcare will no longer need to pay for the following services when visiting a pharmacist:

• Urinary tract infections – UTI (uncomplicated)
• Pink eye
• Shingles
• Contraception management
• Nail fungus
• Heartburn
• Hemorrhoids
• Cold sores
• Fungal skin infections – Athlete's foot
• Fungal skin infections – Jock itch
• Fungal skin infections – Ringworm
• Prescription renewals

"Since 2015, when the power to prescribe and assess was first granted here, pharmacists from across Newfoundland have stepped up and delivered quality care where gaps in the public healthcare system had emerged," said Jeff Leger, President of Shoppers Drug Mart. "Today's announcement not only enhances access to those healthcare services provided by pharmacists, it also demonstrates the government's continued confidence in their ability to do so." 

As part of the announcement, 5 net-new minor ailments were added to the list of services currently provided by pharmacists including the assessment of and prescribing for urinary tract infections, pink eye, shingles, contraception management and nail fungus.

Minor ailments are described as uncomplicated and typically short-term health conditions. Pharmacists can treat and  offer timely services to patients, helping avoid wait times – particularly those who experience barriers to accessing other health care services.[i]

About Shoppers Drug Mart Inc.      

Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart® (Pharmaprix® in Québec). With almost 1,350 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The company also licenses or owns 47 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy® (Pharmaprix Simplement Santé® in Québec). As well, the company owns and operates 43 corporate Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart^TM stores and an ecommerce site Wellwise.ca, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the company owns the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers^TM online platform for the sale of medical cannabis, Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services,  MediSystem Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities and Lifemark Health Group, Canada's leading provider of outpatient physiotherapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, mental health, and other ancillary rehabilitation services. Shoppers Drug Mart is an independent operating division of Loblaw Companies Limited.

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ⁱ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17151635221087621

SOURCE Shoppers Drug Mart

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