Loblaw is betting on telemedicine

Loblaw, owner of the Pharmaprix / Shoppers Drug Mart network of pharmacies, will invest $ 75 million in virtual care provider Maple.

This was announced on Tuesday by the food giant, which operates nearly 1,300 pharmacies across the country. The idea, she stressed, is to provide Canadian consumers with “the convenience and security” of a digitally connected healthcare network.

Thus, in exchange for a minority stake in Maple, the Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix subsidiary of Loblaw will invest $ 75 million.

Jeff Leger, president of Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix, said in a statement that the current health crisis has shown just how “Canadians need new, especially virtual, ways to access health care.”

Featured as a growing Canadian telemedicine provider, the Maple company offers through a technology platform the opportunity for people to connect online with various healthcare professionals, whether they are general practitioners or specialists, among others. People can thus communicate directly and at any time with them, in a few minutes, thanks to their smartphone or computer.

According to Leger, Loblaw’s network of stores and infrastructure, combined with Maple technology, can “help Canadians better connect to the health care they need, anytime, anywhere. “.

According to Maple management, the offering developed by his company over the past five years is “reliable, practical and of high quality.”

“Virtual care has helped solve some of the most complex health problems around the world, as well as right here in Canada, through our own programs,” commented Dr. Brett Belchetz, CEO and co-founder of Maple.