MONTRÉAL — PC Health recently announced the launch of PC Chat in French, expanding access to its AI-powered health information tool for Quebec residents. Following the rollout of the English version earlier this fall, the free service is now available through the PC Health and Pharmaprix apps and websites.
Designed to support the realities of Quebec's healthcare system, PC Chat helps users better understand symptoms, prepare for medical appointments, and identify appropriate healthcare resources and professionals. The tool is intended to provide guidance and information, helping users make more informed decisions about their healthcare journey.
A recent Harris Poll survey found that 48% of respondents in Quebec trust health information generated by AI tools, compared with 40% nationally. At the same time, among Quebecers who searched for health information online in the past year, one-third reported feeling uncertain about what actions to take or where to seek support after finding information online.
"Canadians are looking for health information every day, but more information does not always translate into greater understanding," said Lauren Steinberg, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies Limited. "We developed PC Chat to help people access reliable information and better understand their next steps. It is the most comprehensive AI-powered health tool built specifically for Canadians."
Nabil Chikh, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Pharmaprix, said the launch reflects the important role pharmacists play in supporting patient care across Quebec.
"Pharmacists are among the most trusted healthcare professionals in Quebec," Chikh said. "With PC Chat, we aim to help people better understand their health concerns, identify appropriate sources of support, and feel more prepared for consultations. The goal is not to replace healthcare professionals, but to empower patients to take a more active role in their care."
Built in Canada for Canadian Healthcare
PC Chat was developed with Canada's healthcare landscape in mind, including the unique realities of Quebec. The platform draws on more than 1,000 reviewed and validated Canadian clinical sources to provide relevant, evidence-based information.
Canadian healthcare professionals serving on the Clinical AI Advisory Committee played a key role in the tool's development, helping select trusted health resources and shape how the platform guides users toward appropriate next steps.
"For more than two decades, our focus has been ensuring healthcare professionals can trust the information they use," said Lena Salach, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Effective Practice. "We brought that same level of rigor to PC Health's AI-powered health tool by helping curate and validate many of the Canadian sources that support its knowledge library. Canadians deserve health information grounded in credible, current evidence."
Privacy and Security at the Core
According to PC Health, privacy and data protection were foundational considerations in the development of PC Chat. User health conversations are stored in Canada and handled in accordance with Canadian privacy regulations.
Supporting Responsible AI in Healthcare
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, PC Health says PC Chat is designed to complement, not replace, professional medical expertise. The company describes the platform as a blend of AI innovation, trusted health information, and collaboration with healthcare professionals aimed at helping Canadians navigate healthcare decisions with greater confidence.
