CPhA welcomes Competition Bureau investigation into Express Scripts Canada

April 11, 2025 (Ottawa): The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) welcomes today’s announcement from the Competition Bureau of Canada that it is advancing an investigation into the business practices of Express Scripts Canada (ESC).

This action follows the formal complaint CPhA filed with the Bureau in February 2024, which raised serious concerns about ESC’s use of its dominant position in the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) market, including the imposition of a mandatory service fee on pharmacies across the country.

According to the Bureau’s release, the investigation will examine potential anti-competitive conduct such as patient steering through preferred pharmacy networks and margin squeezing tactics that may restrict competition and limit patient access to pharmacy care.

“PBMs have operated unchecked for far too long, and this investigation marks an important step toward greater accountability,” said Joelle Walker, VP, Public and Professional Affairs, CPhA. “We filed this complaint on behalf of over 40,000 pharmacists in over 12,000 pharmacies across Canada who show up every day to deliver essential health care. This is a clear signal that Canadian regulators are prepared to examine practices that may be harming competition and limiting access to care — and we’re proud to support that effort.”

CPhA extends its thanks to our members for their continued support throughout this process.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. 

For more information, please contact:

Tyler Gogo
Senior Manager, Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
tgogo@pharmacists.ca     
613-293-7223