Shoppers Drug Mart and Obesity Canada have launched a collaboration aimed at expanding access to obesity care, supporting public education about obesity as a chronic disease, and reducing weight bias and stigma through evidence-informed initiatives, including a free virtual weight management program available in participating provinces.
The organizations said the alliance will focus on improving awareness of obesity, promoting evidence-based care resources, and supporting multidisciplinary approaches to long-term weight management for eligible Canadians.
The collaboration brings together Shoppers Drug Mart’s pharmacy services and Obesity Canada’s education programs in an effort to broaden access to care at a time when many Canadians face barriers to primary care, according to the announcement. The organizations said multidisciplinary and virtual care models can provide additional access points by connecting patients with healthcare professionals outside traditional settings.
Commitment to supporting public awareness and education
As part of the initiative, Shoppers Drug Mart said members of its care team have completed Obesity Canada education programs designed to support evidence-informed and stigma-aware obesity care. The company also said it has committed to supporting public awareness and education efforts related to overweight and obesity.
The collaboration will include joint work on public education campaigns, awareness initiatives, stigma reduction efforts, and the promotion of evidence-based obesity care resources.
Shoppers Drug Mart also announced the rollout of its Weight Management Program, a free virtual service available in participating provinces that connects eligible patients with a multidisciplinary care team that includes a nurse practitioner and a registered dietitian, alongside in-person support from the patient’s preferred pharmacist.
Under the program, patients may be prescribed weight management medication when clinically appropriate as part of a personalized care plan. Participants also receive educational resources, personalized guidance and behaviour-focused tools through the Shoppers Drug Mart website.
“At Shoppers Drug Mart, it’s our mission to help Canadians Live Life Well, and we’re proud to work with Obesity Canada to help increase awareness of obesity as a chronic disease and improve access to evidence-based obesity care,” said Ruchi Kumar, VP, Pharmacy Services & Strategic Initiatives at Shoppers Drug Mart. “Through our Weight Management Program supported by a multidisciplinary Care Team, we can help connect more Canadians with resources and guidance that support meaningful health outcomes.”
A complex chronic disease
The organizations said obesity is a complex chronic disease influenced by biological, genetic, environmental, behavioural and social factors. They said the condition is associated with several chronic health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and several cancers, and that access to respectful, evidence-based care can help improve health, quality of life and long-term well-being for Canadians living with overweight or obesity.
Obesity Canada said healthcare professional education is an important component of improving conversations about obesity across the healthcare system and supporting access to evidence-informed care.
“As a complex, chronic disease, obesity deserves the same compassionate, evidence-based care as any other chronic health condition,” said Lisa Schaffer, Executive Director at Obesity Canada. “This reflects a shared commitment to improving awareness, reducing stigma and helping more Canadians understand and access evidence-informed care options. Education is an important part of that work.”
The Weight Management Program is currently available in participating locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
According to the announcement, the online-only program provides eligible Canadians with virtual access to nurse practitioners and dietitians, along with pharmacist support from their pharmacy of choice. Developed in part through a licence and services agreement with Launchit Solutions, operating as the Medical Weight Management Centre of Canada, the program includes virtual assessments, ongoing support and educational resources over a 12-month period through the Shoppers Drug Mart website.
Shoppers Drug Mart said the collaboration with Obesity Canada reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to multidisciplinary obesity care while supporting education and awareness initiatives intended to improve understanding of obesity as a chronic disease.
In an interview with Retail Insider, Kumar discussed the initiative.
Question: What motivated Shoppers Drug Mart to partner with Obesity Canada, and what specific gaps in obesity care is this collaboration intended to address?
Answer: Together, Shoppers Drug Mart and Obesity Canada share a commitment to bringing greater awareness to the tools available for Canadians seeking support for their health. Obesity is a complex, chronic disease and a key driver of other chronic health conditions, yet millions of Canadians continue to face barriers accessing primary care and evidence-informed treatment.
Through this collaboration, we’re helping improve access to compassionate, science-backed care while normalizing conversations around obesity and reducing stigma. By combining Obesity Canada’s expertise with our Weight Management Program, we’re making it easier for eligible Canadians to access personalized support from a multidisciplinary Care Team, which includes a nurse practitioner, registered dietitian and a patient’s preferred pharmacist.
Q: How does the free virtual Weight Management Program fit into Shoppers Drug Mart’s broader healthcare strategy, and what role do you see retailers playing in delivering primary and preventive care?
A: The Weight Management Program reflects our commitment to helping Canadians Live Life Well by making healthcare more accessible and connected.
The program provides eligible patients with free virtual access to a nurse practitioner and registered dietitian, along with ongoing support from their community pharmacist, creating a holistic, wraparound approach to weight management. As more Canadians face challenges accessing primary care, we believe Shoppers Drug Mart can play an important role in helping connect patients to trusted healthcare professionals and improving access to evidence-informed care that complements the broader healthcare system.
Q: What early indicators or metrics will you use to measure the program’s success, both from a patient outcomes perspective and a business perspective?
A: Our primary focus is on helping eligible Canadians access the care and support they need. Success means patients are engaging with their Care Team, receiving personalized treatment plans, educational resources and tools, as well as ongoing support that helps them stay on track throughout their weight management journey.
From a business perspective, success means building a sustainable, scalable model that expands access to evidence-based obesity care for eligible Canadians while advancing Shoppers Drug Mart’s commitment to accessible, patient-centered healthcare through expanded clinical services.
More broadly, we hope the program helps increase awareness of evidence-informed treatment options while improving access to care for a chronic condition that affects millions of Canadians. As part of our commitment to helping Canadians, we see success as delivering meaningful value to patients and helping alleviate pressure on the healthcare system through greater access to coordinated care.
Q: Obesity Canada has emphasized reducing weight bias and stigma. How has that influenced the design of the program, the training of healthcare providers, and the patient experience?
A: Reducing weight bias is fundamental to providing quality obesity care. The program is built around the understanding that obesity is a chronic disease, and patients deserve compassionate, personalized ongoing care that reflects their individual health needs.
Shoppers Drug Mart Care Team members have participated in Obesity training designed to support evidence-informed and stigma-aware obesity care. This training helps support more informed, respectful conversations with patients and reinforces a care experience grounded in empathy and evidence.
Our multidisciplinary Care Team works closely with patients throughout their journey, providing ongoing support from nurse practitioners, registered dietitians and community pharmacists. By combining medical expertise with education and personalized guidance, we’re helping create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Q: As pharmacies continue to expand into healthcare services, what additional clinical or virtual care offerings do you see becoming part of Shoppers Drug Mart’s retail model over the next five years?
A: We’re continuing to look for ways to improve access to healthcare and better support the evolving needs of Canadians. As the healthcare landscape continues to change, we see opportunities for pharmacies to play an even greater role in connecting patients to convenient, high-quality care through both in-person and virtual services. Our focus will remain on expanding access to evidence-informed healthcare, supporting patients with coordinated care, and working alongside the broader healthcare system to help Canadians live healthier lives. We see virtual care being increasingly integrated with our retail pharmacy experience, creating a more coordinated care model with our digital tools, virtual providers, and community pharmacists working together to support patients on their care journey.
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