A History of Steady Growth

In early 1980, uniPHARM Wholesale Drugs was launched as a solution to the frustrating lack of services available to independently owned pharmacies in British Columbia. At that time, a small group of pharmacies came together with a vision for a new kind of wholesaler: one that could use the combined buying power of a number of independents in an effort to keep retail costs low and maintain an advantage in a very aggressive market.

Funding for the new venture came from independent pharmacists across the province who readily saw the value of a cooperative wholesale that worked for them. Within the first six months, uniPHARM was ready for business and was providing pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medications, and other retail merchandise at competitive prices to over fifty shareholders.

In the past twenty years, uniPHARM has experienced consistent and stable growth both physically and financially. With over one third of all the pharmacies in British Columbia, we find ourselves in the unique position of upsizing while our competitors have downsized. A healthy mix of available products, friendly and dedicated customer service and persistent program development continues to attract new shareholders, which helps us stay at the forefront of the changing trends in the marketplace.

In fact, we've discovered our growth is cyclical. With more members, we enjoy a greater buying power and an expanded selection of products and services. To reliably meet the demands of the growing market, we have increased our warehouse space and our staff on a number of occasions. In turn, this growth attracts shareholders and the cycle begins again. Today, uniPHARM is the largest member owned wholesaler of pharmaceutical products and services for independently owned drug stores in British Columbia.