LANGLEY, B.C. — Pharmasave is highlighting new research that quantifies the economic contribution of Canada’s community pharmacies and underscores their expanding role in delivering frontline health care.
Research commissioned by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada found that the community pharmacy sector contributes nearly $23 billion annually to Canada’s economy, supports more than 273,000 jobs, and generates approximately $6.3 billion in tax revenue.
“The findings confirm what Canadians experience every day: community pharmacies are essential to both the health of our communities and the health of our economy,” said Billy Cheung, head of pharmacy at Pharmasave. “For years, we’ve known pharmacies play a vital role in helping Canadians stay healthy. Now, for the first time, we have the data to demonstrate their broader economic and social impact.”
Nearly two-thirds of Canadian pharmacy locations are independently owned or part of a banner pharmacy. Pharmasave said that ownership model gives pharmacists greater flexibility to tailor clinical services to their communities' needs.
The findings come as pharmacies assume a larger role in primary care. Nearly one in five Canadian adults lacks access to a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner, or other primary care provider, according to national data released in June. Pharmacists are increasingly helping fill that gap by providing common-ailment assessments and prescribing, vaccinations, medication management, and chronic disease care.
The role is especially significant in rural communities, where pharmacies can serve as both accessible health care destinations and important employers. The research found that more than one in every 100 rural residents works in the pharmacy sector.
Pharmasave cited several examples of its independently owned pharmacies expanding care. Cumberland Pharmasave in British Columbia has developed a hormone replacement therapy clinic for women, and Pharmasave pharmacists in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, are participating in a provincial mental health medication management pilot. Seven Pharmasave locations in Nova Scotia also operate Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics that provide expanded assessment, prescribing, and chronic disease management services.
“The value of independent ownership is that it allows pharmacist owners to build services around the needs of their own communities,” Cheung said. “That means pharmacists have the ability to focus where they can expand clinical services and spend time building long-term relationships with patients and responding as local healthcare needs change.”
Pharmasave recently surpassed 900 pharmacies nationwide. Across its network, pharmacists have completed more than 80,000 common-ailment assessments and provided health and medication support to nearly 88,000 new patients this year.
The company released the findings in connection with Independent Pharmacy Day, emphasizing the contributions independent pharmacies make to local economies and the health care system.
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