Walmart Canada is deepening its presence in the country’s health-care system with the launch of a new program designed to support Canadians living with chronic autoimmune diseases. The Walmart Canada Autoimmune Medication Care Program, introduced in select pharmacies this month, aims to bridge significant gaps in care for patients who often face long waits, complicated treatment plans and soaring drug costs. The initiative is available in seventy Walmart pharmacies and is scheduled for a national rollout over the coming year, marking a new phase in the company’s expansion into specialized health services.
Autoimmune conditions affect more than two million Canadians, including patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Treatments for these conditions frequently involve complex biologics and other high-cost medications that require close monitoring, precise handling and consistent patient education. Many Canadians struggle to access specialist appointments or coordinated support, and the company’s new program is designed to place more of that care within reach of neighbourhood pharmacies.
Bringing Healthcare Closer to More Canadians
Walmart Canada emphasized that eighty-four percent of Canadians live within fifteen kilometres of a Walmart Pharmacy, a footprint that gives the retailer unusual reach into both urban and rural communities. By housing the Walmart Canada Autoimmune Medication Care Program within this broad network, the company said it can offer specialized guidance in places where health-care resources remain stretched or inconsistent.
Pharmacists participating in the program have completed additional training focused on autoimmune conditions and specialty medications. They can help patients manage prescriptions, understand treatment plans, track side effects, identify possible drug interactions and coordinate with prescribers, manufacturers and patient support programs. In provinces where regulations permit, pharmacists are also able to administer injections, a service that reduces reliance on clinics already under pressure.
Walmart said the goal is to deliver care that is both more personal and more convenient. For patients managing chronic disease, delays in treatment or missed doses can lead to setbacks that carry significant physical and financial costs. The company’s strategy blends in-person support with digital tools meant to make treatment adherence easier.
Digital Tools Add Convenience and Support
The new program is closely tied to Walmart’s pharmacy technology, including the Walmart Pharmacy app. Patients can manage prescriptions online, refill medications, authorize caregiver access, track renewal dates and schedule deliveries. Same-day home delivery is available in certain regions, extending the reach of the Walmart Canada Autoimmune Medication Care Program to patients who may be managing mobility challenges or unpredictable symptoms.
These tools reflect a broader shift in the retailer’s approach to health care. In recent years, Walmart Canada has invested heavily in digital infrastructure, both to streamline its retail operations and to extend medical services into formats more compatible with contemporary patient behaviour. The company’s digital pharmacy tools sit at the centre of this strategy, connecting the in-store experience with online convenience.
Strengthening Walmart’s Position in Specialty Pharmacy
The launch of the Walmart Canada Autoimmune Medication Care Program is part of a larger move into specialty pharmacy, a segment that has grown quickly as more Canadians require advanced therapies. Earlier this year, the company expanded its work with Calian Group Ltd. and integrated the Nexi digital health platform into its operations. The platform supports patients managing chronic or complex diseases, assists with cold-chain and specialty logistics and connects to patient assistance programs offered by manufacturers.
Specialty medications now account for an increasing share of Canadian drug spending, driven by new therapies and rising rates of chronic disease. Retailers with extensive logistics networks and national footprints are becoming more active in the space, and Walmart’s investments suggest a long-term strategy to compete with traditional pharmacies and emerging digital care providers.
A New Layer of In-Store Medical Support
Walmart Canada has also begun expanding its in-store medical clinics. The company opened an initial clinic adjacent to its St. Catharines pharmacy earlier this year, with plans for additional locations in other provinces. These clinics operate as walk-in health centres where pharmacists can assess and treat minor ailments, conduct point-of-care testing, renew prescriptions and support chronic-disease management.
The clinics reflect a broader shift in Canadian health care, where pharmacists increasingly play a frontline role. With many communities facing physician shortages and long wait times, retail pharmacy clinics have become a more common point of entry for patients seeking straightforward assessments or ongoing support. Walmart’s model is structured around that demand, offering medical access points in stores that already attract heavy daily foot traffic.
A Retailer in Expansion Mode
The push into advanced pharmacy care is occurring alongside one of the largest investment periods in Walmart Canada’s history. In January, the company announced a multiyear investment plan valued at approximately $6.5 billion Canadian. The spending includes expanding the store network, upgrading existing locations and modernizing supply chain infrastructure. Dozens of new Supercentres are scheduled for construction by 2027 in markets such as Oakville, Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray.
A new high-tech distribution centre in Vaughan, Ontario, opened recently as part of that plan and is described as Walmart’s most technologically advanced facility in Canada. Automated systems, robotics and upgraded logistics tools support both in-store operations and the company’s growing online business, including grocery delivery and pharmacy services. These developments reinforce Walmart’s positioning as a people-led, technology-enabled retailer that is integrating physical and digital channels.
A National Footprint With Community Reach
As of late 2025, Walmart Canada operates more than 400 stores across nearly every province and territory except Nunavut. Ontario remains the company’s largest market, with roughly 150 locations. Key metropolitan areas such as Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Montreal, Scarborough and Toronto all support multiple stores.
The company serves approximately 1.5 million customers in-store each day and employs more than one hundred thousand associates. Its supply chain includes close to two thousand Canadian suppliers, making Walmart a major supporter of domestic manufacturing, agriculture and consumer goods production. These ties reinforce its position as one of the country’s most influential retailers and a key competitor in both food and general merchandise.
Leadership and a Shift Toward Enhanced Services
The Walmart Canada Autoimmune Medication Care Program arrives at a moment of leadership transition. Earlier this year, Walmart Canada named Venessa Yates as its new President and Chief Executive. Yates, who previously served as Chief Digital Officer, has been a central figure in the company’s efforts to integrate technology across operations. Her appointment signals a continued emphasis on omnichannel strategy and digital modernization.
Yates’s tenure aligns with the company’s broad push to evolve beyond its traditional retail identity. Investment in specialized health care, digital tools, logistics automation and upgraded stores reflects a long-term strategy to compete on service and convenience.
Financial Tools and Support for Patients
Walmart Canada continues to promote financial services that tie into its health and pharmacy offerings. The Walmart Rewards Mastercard, installment payment options, bill payment tools and money transfers give customers more flexibility in managing routine and unexpected expenses. These financial products play a supporting role for patients facing the high cost of specialty medications.
The company also works with third-party patient-support programs and co-pay assistance initiatives that help reduce out-of-pocket spending for high-cost therapies. These arrangements create a more integrated environment for patients, positioning Walmart pharmacies as both a dispensing centre and a navigation hub for complex treatment pathways.
