Toronto-based Shoppers Drug Mart is expanding its base of managed in-store medical clinics after launching four locations in the Toronto area. The retailer says that it will expand the clinics across Ontario this year and the initiative is likely to expand into other provinces if the clinics are successful.
The Health Clinic by Shoppers™ is described as being a primary-care and family practice clinic that provides patients with convenient, one-stop access to medical services and advice. So far four locations are open with three of those in Toronto and one nearby in Whitby — that includes a downtown Toronto location on the third floor of the Shoppers Drug Mart store at the southwest corner of Yonge and Charles Streets as well as Shoppers Drug Mart stores at 770 Lawrence Avenue West near the Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 1995 Weston Road in Weston and Kendalwood Park Plaza in Whitby.
Three more locations are confirmed in Ontario with two being in Ottawa and another in Kingston.
“We know Canadians want and need more from their primary care. The world changed quickly and dramatically over the last year, highlighting the need for more accessible healthcare options for patients – including extended hours and more convenient locations for in-person services, and virtual care services for all patients including those who don’t currently have a family physician,” said Jeff Leger, President, Shoppers Drug Mart. “Since May 2020, our Toronto locations have been meeting those needs, through more than 20,000 patient visits. Bringing the Health Clinic to new markets will allow us to make healthcare more accessible for more Ontarians.”
The clinics host a suite of family medicine services with an aim to make healthcare more accessible for patients with extended operating hours and increased technology such as online appointment booking and virtual care options through Medeo® solutions and electronic health records via the AccuroEMR® platform.
The expansion of Health Clinic by Shoppers™ is the latest move by the retailer to expand further into health and wellness. Shoppers Drug Mart has also introduced other non-retail offerings to its stores to gain consumer following. In 2019 we reported that the retailer had introduced dental centres to its stores in a partnership with SmileDirect Club. In the fall of 2017, Shoppers Drug Mart also launched a seniors-focused ‘Wellwise’ concept store in Toronto that aims to to keep the country’s aging population healthy and active.
