McKesson Canada has signed a long-term prime vendor partnership with Uniprix Inc., now the largest affiliation of independent pharmacists in Quebec.

Under the agreement, McKesson Canada is responsible for the primary distribution of pharmaceutical products, over-the-counter medications and consumer products to the 240-plus-member Uniprix group, which includes the Unipharm and Uniclinique banners. McKesson Canada will also continue to
warehouse and distribute Uniprix's Option+ and Aubaine plus private labels.

"McKesson Canada is truly delighted with this innovative partnership with Uniprix, one of our most important customers in Canada," said Jacques Brunelle, Vice-President, Eastern Canada, McKesson Canada.

A component of the long-term partnership is an agreement with Uniprix Inc. to manage McKesson Canada's 144 Clinique Santé banner stores in Quebec. This will effectively create the largest network of independent pharmacies in Quebec, based on store count.

According to Pedro Lopez, Manager, Clinique Santé, banner members will leverage  Uniprix's competencies, which will provide pharmacists with a greater range of products and increased buying power.

"These latest developments are evidence of the long and successful partnership that McKesson Canada has forged over the years with  Uniprix," Brunelle added.