There are changes on the horizon in the business side of pharmacy in Canada and they will mean a larger footprint for US pharmacy interests in this country.
On January 30, 2012, Edmonton-based Katz Group of Canada announced plans to sell its interest in 850 Canadian independent stores — mainly operating under the I.D.A. and Guardian banners — to California-based health care giant McKesson Corp. McKesson is also buying Katz Group's franchise business, which serves 160 Medicine Shoppe outlets across Canada.
While announcing plans to put more energy into strengthening its 400 Rexall-brand pharmacies (Rexall and Pharma Plus outlets), Katz Group revealed it has acquired the Dell Pharmacies network. Dell has 18 stores in southern Ontario and all are to be integrated into the Rexall network.
At the same time, US discount retailer Target has announced that it is looking for independent pharmacists to own and operate franchises in its new Canadian stores. Beginning next year, Target will take over 189 former Zellers locations in this country — in its first move outside the US market. The retailer says it plans to begin an active search for pharmacist franchise-owners in March.