PharmaChoice Becomes Canada’s 2nd Largest Independent Pharmacy Chain

It was a big day for PharmaChoice in Canada as they reached a historic milestone.

On Monday, the company announced that they have surpassed 600 locations, making it Canada's second-largest independent pharmacy banner.

PharmaChoice East CEO Calvin LeRoux, and a group of key owners, founded the company in 1999.

The banner has nearly doubled its store count in the past five years alone.

"PharmaChoice is proud to have earned a leadership position in our country's crowded pharmacy landscape," said LeRoux, in a statement. "We are confident that PharmaChoice is the program that provides independents with the best return on their investment, and we believe our rapid growth is proof of that."

PharmaChoice executives consider the chain to be a champion of independent pharmacy and are proud that the company provides associable healthcare, and jobs, to many communities in the country.

"Even in 2016, the pharmacy remains a pillar in many rural communities," said Grady Brown, PharmaChoice West CEO, also in a statement. "Our locations, especially in more remote settings, provide job creation and access to services that residents may not have otherwise."

According to LeRoux, because of the country’s demographics, pharmacists are more important than ever.

"Canada's aging population coupled with our shortage of physicians and immense wait times positions pharmacists as vital practitioners who are the frontline for patients when they are sick or in pain."

More and more businesses are consolidating and LeRoux and Brown think it means good news for their company.

"As we continue to see more pharmacy reform, we believe the unaffiliated will need to find a home," says LeRoux. "So long as pharmacy owners are seeking transparency and maximum value, we are confident that we will continue to grow."

Revolution Pharmacy, by PharmaChoice, is located at 115 Highway 33 West in Kelowna.