Centric Health Announces Multi-Province Specialty Pharmacy Contract for More Than 2,400 Beds with Good Samaritan Society

Company to Open New Fulfillment Centres in Kelowna, BC and Lethbridge, AB to Service New Contract and Expand Its National Network for Future Growth

TORONTO, Aug. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health") (TSX:CHH) announced today that its Specialty Pharmacy division has formed a strategic alliance with The Good Samaritan Society ("GSS") to deliver pharmacy services (medications and related specialty clinical care services) to more than 2,400 long-term care and assisted living residents at all 28 care homes and several specialized programs in British Columbia and Alberta. This strategic alliance will lead to enhanced safety and care for residents, and the transition and rollout is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2017.

To support servicing of this strategic alliance, Centric Health is opening two new fulfillment centres (aggregate capital expenditure of approximately $1 million), one in Kelowna, British Columbia (the fourth largest city the province), and one in Lethbridge, Alberta (the fourth largest city in the province). Centric Health's fulfillment centres typically service a concentric area of approximately 200 kilometers and these new Specialty Pharmacies will significantly expand the Company's geographic reach and support further growth opportunities in these regions.

"We continue to see momentum in new contract successes, especially in the Western operations of our Specialty Pharmacy business, based on our industry leading pharmacovigilance and clinical intervention capabilities, our team's commitment to excellence in resident care, combined with our ability to service local, regional and national contracts," said David Cutler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation. "We are honoured that GSS, as a faith based organization, through its mission, vision and values has the highest morals and standards, and has partnered with us to focus on a "Resident First" strategy to ensure safety and evidence based outcomes."

"Centric Health's experienced team, alongside clinical expertise with advanced technology and reporting capabilities, will allow us to improve quality services and outcomes for our residents that we are privileged to serve," said Shawn Terlson, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Good Samaritan Society. "Moreover, a single provider across the two provinces provides us with standardization, reduced variability, reduced resident risk, and new programs to improve quality care to those in need."

About The Good Samaritan Society

The Good Samaritan Society (GSS), a Lutheran Social Service Organization, is a not-for-profit, registered charity with over 67 years of experience providing specialized health and community care services in innovative and caring environments. Currently, GSS has over 3,900 employees and more than 1,700 volunteers who, in the spirit of compassion, serve approximately 6,000 clients. As one of the largest not-for-profit care providers in Alberta (21 care homes) and British Columbia (7 care homes), GSS provides safe, comfortable communities inspiring involvement, where people can experience a sense of caring, belonging and purpose. The Good Samaritan Society is
people-helping-people. It's about providing service and programs with care, compassion and commitment.

About Centric Health

Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's most respected and recognized provider in the independent healthcare sectors in which it operates, world renowned for delivering the highest levels of quality care and outcomes, innovative solutions and value to patients, clients and stakeholders. To this end, Centric Health primarily focuses on two core healthcare businesses:

  • The Specialty Pharmacy division is a "Resident First" model composed of a growing national network of fulfilment centres that deliver high-volume solutions for the cost effective supply of chronic medication and other specialty clinical care services, serving more than 25,000 residents in over 330 seniors communities (long term care facilities, retirement homes and assisted living facilities) nationally. The Specialty Pharmacy division also provides pharmaceutical dispensing services for employees insured by corporate health plans.
  • The Surgical & Medical Centres division is Canada's largest independent surgical provider operating six facilities across four provinces. It serves a diversified customer base with private paid non-insured surgeries and diagnostics, government outsourcing of insured surgeries and diagnostics and other procedures funded by third-party payors (including Workers Compensation) and is the proud owner of Canada's first Centre of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

 

With national networks of facilities in each of its businesses, deep knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery and extensive, trusted relationships with payers, physicians, and government agencies, the Company is uniquely positioned to address current and future healthcare needs in growing markets as the Canadian healthcare industry goes through a major transformation over the medium to long term.

SOURCE Centric Health Corporation

For further information: David Cutler, Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation, 416-619-9401, david.cutler@centrichealth.ca; Lawrence Chamberlain, Investor Relations, NATIONAL Equicom, 416-848-1457, lchamberlain@national.ca