Content about Alberta

EDMONTON, Alberta — A plan to significantly reduce generic drug prices in Alberta has drawn criticism from pharmacists in the Canadian province.

The Alberta Pharmacists' Association said it was "shocked" in response to the provincial government's 2013 budget, which reduces generic drug prices from 35% to 18% of branded drug prices, effective May 1. Over the past two years, prices have been reduced from 75% to 35%, but the RxA said it supported the government in those cases.

TORONTO — Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart is looking to acquire 19 retail pharmacies and three central fill pharmacies located in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba from Paragon for about $75 million in cash.

The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of Paragon's shareholders, acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange and certain other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in third quarter 2012.

NEW YORK — A study conducted by the University of Alberta found that women with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

CALGARY, Alberta — The Jean Coutu Group may be only biding its time before making another go at a pharmacy operation in the United States, the Calgary Herald reported Friday, citing Jean Coutu Group chairman Jean Coutu’s recently released autobiography, written in French.

According to the report, Coutu suggested that jettisoning the Eckerd headquarters led to the early demise of the Brooks-Eckerd deal because there “weren't enough key personnel to make the merger work.”

CALGARY, Alberta — Canada Safeway will be introducing four store-within-a-store Tim Hortons coffee outlets in December here and across Western Canada, the Calgary Herald reported Wednesday morning. The new outlets mark a new partnership with Tim Hortons, a Canada Safeway spokeswoman told the Herald, and should not impede Canada Safeway’s existing partnership with rival Starbucks.