Rx programs, services play key role

With more than 1,500 supermarkets and stand-alone drug stores, Sobeys Inc. plays a critical role in helping people across Canada stay healthy.

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The company, which operates food stores under five different banners — including the Canada Safeway business it acquired in November 2013 — from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, has prescription counters in 335 of its supermarkets and all 70 of its Lawton’s Drug stores in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Dubbed PROfile pharmacists, the pharmacy professionals in the company’s stores offer a comprehensive roster of services to patients, ranging from prescription reviews to ensure each script is filled with the right medication in the proper dosage to one-on-one counseling on new prescriptions.

With so many prescriptions taken incorrectly, Sobeys and Lawtons have implemented several programs and services aimed

at ensuring that patients get the most from their medications.

The company’s AutoFill Plus program, for instance, ensures that patients do not miss doses, make fewer trips to the pharmacy and spend less time waiting for their prescriptions to be filled.

Under the Pill Pack Plus program, Sobeys and Lawtons pharmacists work with patients to manage dose changes and ensure that patients are taking their medications at the right times. In addition, patients participating in the program are notified when they need to contact their physician for renewals.

Because it is often difficult for patients to stay on top of product recalls and health warnings, PROfile pharmacists monitor Health Canada and manufacturer information for medication-related advisories and drug recalls.