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Exploring McKesson Canada’s Innovations and Impact on Healthcare

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Exploring McKesson Canada’s Innovations and Impact on Healthcare

TextContent_A Digitally Integrated Healthcare System

 

A Leading Diversified Healthcare Provider

 

McKesson Canada is a leading diversified healthcare provider supporting Canadians’ healthcare needs, from frontline pharmacy care and working with manufacturers to help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, to distributing more than one third of all medications in Canada and more. McKesson Canada’s history and heritage dates back to the early 1900s. What started out as a national drug company has now evolved into one of the most dynamic healthcare companies in the country.

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2020
2020-2023
Investing in healthcare for all canadians
Investing in healthcare for all canadians
2023

McKesson Canada modernizes its distribution centres into technologically leading, state-of-the-art facilities in Western Canada, expanding capability and ensuring capacity for the long term. The significant investment showcases McKesson Canada’s commitment to supporting Canada’s medication delivery infrastructure and expected needs of the aging and growing Canadian population.

Community pharmacy becomes even more important to the health of Canadians, as expanded professional scope, including pharmacist prescribing rights for minor ailments, rolls out in provinces including Ontario and BC. McKesson Canada proudly supports community pharmacy to continue to practice to its full potential.

Rexall opens its first pharmacist-led clinic in Sherwood Park, Alberta; a new model of care in the community.

Well.ca opens its first distribution centre in Western Canada, its second in the nation.

McKesson Canada's INVIVA meets Accreditation Canada’s Qmentum Accreditation Program requirements to become the first and only accredited national private infusion clinic network in oncology.

2020

The first reported case of COVID-19 in Canada is reported. McKesson Canada quickly establishes itself as an essential partner to government, healthcare providers and manufacturers in COVID 19 vaccination distribution.

Community pharmacy establishes itself as vital to the vaccination program, with pharmacists administering vaccinations across the country.

McKesson Canada acquires PDCI Market Access, enhancing McKesson’s consultancy and market access offering for manufacturers and partners. 

2010
2010s
ACCREDITATION AND LAUNCH OF WEB-BASED CARE
ACCREDITATION AND LAUNCH OF WEB-BASED CARE
2018

McKesson Canada's INVIVA clinics receive accreditation from Accreditation Canada, recognizing patient focus, high patient satisfaction and consistent adherence to high quality clinical practice. 

2017

McKesson acquires GMD Distribution Inc., expanding McKesson Canada's specialty distribution footprint and marking its leadership in hepatology and ophthalmology. 

McKesson Canada announces the acquisition of Uniprix, a leading healthcare destination in Quebec with 330 pharmacies. 

McKesson Canada acquires Well.ca, a growing health and wellness retailer, bringing an offering of online commerce capabilities and a digital experience to its retail assets.

McKesson Canada introduces BlistAssist®, a revolutionary approach to improving the manual preparation and verification of medication blister cards through a software-driven solution.

2016

McKesson completes the acquisition of Rexall Health, comprising of 470 retail pharmacies.

2015

McKesson Canada acquires the Remedy’sRx banner, the fastest-growing independent pharmacy network in Canada. Combined with the earlier acquisitions of Groupe PharmEssor, The Medicine Shoppe, and independent banners Guardian and I.D.A., McKesson Canada is now the largest network of independent pharmacies in Canada.

2013

McKesson Canada’s Telecare service achieves Accreditation Canada accreditation with Exemplary Standing – becoming the first private service to receive this designation.  

McKesson Canada creates INVIVA, a nationwide specialty infusion clinic, after the acquisition of AIM and BioClin Health Care Inc.

2012

McKesson Canada acquires independent banner and franchise businesses of Katz Group Canada Inc.: The Medicine Shoppe, Guardian and I.D.A.  

2010

The acquisition of Specialty Care and Patient Direct, McKesson Canada becomes the largest specialty pharmacy in Canada. 

2000
2000s
Introducing the McKesson Brand to Canadians
Introducing the McKesson Brand to Canadians
2008

McKesson Canada acquires Groupe PharmEssor Inc., owner of the Proxim and Proximed brands — a banner providing services to 270 independently owned pharmacies in Quebec.  

2005

McKesson Canada’s Specialty business is created after the acquisition of Phase 4 Health Inc., a Canadian company that offers consulting, clinical trials, and patient support services to the pharmaceutical industry.

2004

McKesson Canada creates McKesson Logistics Solutions and adds the PACMED line of high-speed unit dose packagers to its automation offering, through acquisition of a Montreal-based provider.  

2002

Medis adopts the McKesson Canada name and a new brand is introduced.

PharmaClick, McKesson Canada’s online ordering platform, is launched, and goes on to become Canada’s largest B2B site (based on dollar volume.) 

1990
1990s
Acquisitions & Growth
Acquisitions & Growth
1997

Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services acquires the distribution services of Drug Trading Company.

1996

McKesson Outsource Logistics is created to offer third-party logistics to Canadian manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and cosmetics industries.  

1992

Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services acquires Quebec’s Focus Pharmaceutical Group.

1991

McKesson Corporation in San Francisco finalizes acquisition of 100 percent interest in Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services.

1980
1980s
Expanding Our National Footprint
Expanding Our National Footprint
1989

Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services' sales reach $1.1 billion.

1987

National Drug Limited changes its name to Medis Health and Pharmaceutical Services.

1980

The National Drug name is changed to National Drug Limited. National Drug Limited continues to grow, acquiring Southwestern Drug Limited of British Columbia. 

1950
1950s-1970s
Consolidations & Mergers
Consolidations & Mergers
1977

Quebec-based Provigo takes control of M. Loeb and its subsidiaries.

1964

M. Loeb acquires a controlling interest in National Drug.

1955

National Drug flourishes with manufacturing and distribution activities and lists as a publicly traded company. 

1950

The eastern division of National Drug and Estey & Curtis merge their operations under the new name of Eastern Drug Services (EDS). With the acquisition of Halifax-based pharmaceutical distributor Provincial Wholesale Drugs, EDS became the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the Atlantic provinces.

National Drug continues its growth, acquiring Western Drug in British Columbia, McMurdo Wholesale Drug Company in St. John's, and Top Drug Mart Distribution in Toronto.

1900
1900s
A National Drug Company for Canadians
A National Drug Company for Canadians
1906

National Drug and Chemical Company of Canada initiates the operational integration of 19 wholesale drug companies and 13 retail stores. The company acquires Manitoba’s Drugs Limited, opening branches in Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. It also acquires Maritimes-based The Canadian Drug Company, merging it with the Halifax, Saint John, and Sydney subsidiaries.

1905

Bale, Tinling, and Wardleworth merge and acquire 13 additional companies, leading to the creation and incorporation of the National Drug and Chemical Company of Canada — affectionately known as Na-Dru-Co, or National Drug, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.

1900

In the early 1900s, David Bale, Charles W. Tinling and Theo Wardlerworth share a vision for a national drug company.