Manulife's Specialty Drug Coverage Now Exclusive to Loblaw-Owned Pharmacies

Deal Affects 260 Medications, Raises Concerns About Competition and Patient Access

Manulife, a Canadian insurance company, has announced that its coverage of certain specialty prescription drugs will only apply at Loblaw-owned pharmacies.
This arrangement affects around 260 medications under Manulife's Specialty Drug Care program, which are meant to treat complex, chronic or life-threatening conditions.
Experts raise concerns about the impact of this deal on competition and patient access to medication, especially for those in rural or remote regions.
Manulife argues that the deal with Loblaw will provide more options for group benefits members to receive their specialty medications.
Exclusivity deals like this, known as preferred pharmacy network arrangements, are common in the U.S. and are gaining traction in Canada.