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Loblaw deal involving prescription meds met with criticism

Canadian officials are fond of exclusivity of about 260 drugs

Bill Wilson, Senior editor at Supermarket News

February 1, 2024

1 Min Read
Loblaws storefront_1_0_0_1_0_1.png
The exclusive arrangement between Manulife and the grocer affects around 260 medications under Manulife’s Specialty Drug Care program.Loblaw Cos.

A deal between Loblaw and Manulife Financial Corp. involving specialty prescription drugs is creating a stir among Canadian officials, reports Global News.

The exclusive arrangement between Manulife and the grocer affects around 260 medications under Manulife’s Specialty Drug Care program. The meds are used to treat complex, chronic, or life-threatening conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer, osteoporosis, and hepatitis C. Those drugs can now only be found at Shoppers Drug Mart and other Loblaw-owned pharmacies.

Previously medications under the Specialty Drug Care Program also were available through national home and community health care provider Bayshore HealthCare.

Manulife says the deal with Loblaw will provide more options for group benefits members to receive their specialty medications, with patients able to pick up drugs from a Loblaw-owned store or have them delivered to their home.

“At this time, to evolve our program, it’s appropriate to select a single service provider to move the program forward for the benefit of our customers and their employees,” said Doug Bryce, Manulife vice president of product and platforms.

Canada’s federal minister in charge of promoting competition, Francois-Philippe Champagne, has taken issue with the exclusive arrangement because it limits the pharmacy options for patients who need the medication.

Related:Loblaw welcomes 10 more electric trucks

Champagne said the government is examining the deal.

 

About the Author

Bill Wilson

Senior editor at Supermarket News

Bill Wilson is the senior editor at Supermarket News, covering all things grocery and retail. He has been a journalist in the B2B industry for 25 years. He has received two Robert F. Boger awards for his work as a journalist in the infrastructure industry and has over 25 editorial awards total in his career. He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a major in broadcast communications.

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