Shoppers Drug Mart faces proposed class action for alleged ‘unethical corporate practices’ – CBC
Loblaw spokesperson says ‘case has no merit whatsoever, and we intend to vigorously defend it’
Apr 15, 2024
A former Shoppers Drug Mart franchise owner has filed a proposed class action lawsuit against the Canadian retail pharmacy chain, and its parent company Loblaw, alleging the companies imposed “unsafe and unethical” corporate practices on franchise owner pharmacists to increase profits.
The claim was filed in Ontario Superior Court last week and intends to cover both franchise owners whose agreements have been terminated since 2014 and current franchise owners in Ontario.
It has not yet been certified or tested in court.
The crux of the lawsuit concerns how corporate practices like imposing targets on the volume of medication reviews, cutting back support staff hours, and other mandates to increase revenue, have allegedly put Shoppers Drug Mart franchise owners, who are also pharmacists, in an “irredeemable conflict of interest.”
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/proposed-class-action-shoppers-drug-mart-1.7174313
