­ AVRICORE HEALTH INC. announced that the Company is significantly expanding the number of Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies offering its HealthTab point-of-care testing platform under a renewed Master Service Agreement (MSA) to up to 450 locations nation-wide. In addition to Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies, this new MSA and corresponding Statement of Work (SOW) provides for affiliated locations under the Loblaw family of brands, to utilize HealthTab upon request. HealthTab has already been deployed in 104 Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies across British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Additionally, the Company was honoured to have HealthTab placed in its first Alberta location, in the recently announced innovation in healthcare delivery, the pharmacist-led primary healthcare clinic in the Lethbridge Real Canadian Superstore®. As of July 1st, 2022, the Government of Ontario brought into effect an expanded scope of practice for community pharmacists in the province. This includes limited prescribing for minor ailments, as well as the ability to perform certain point-of-care tests to assist patients with managing chronic disease.

Approved tests include glucose, HbA1c and lipids, all of which HealthTabTM currently offers with the Abbott Afinion 2TM. The initial pilot demonstrated significant patient interest, and pharmacy teams have found they can easily incorporate these services into their practice. It is believed by all involved that with sustained communications support and market adoption, peak volumes are demonstrating a bright future for diagnostics in community pharmacy, and HealthTab as the most sophisticated and fully integrated solution that puts the patient at the centre of their own healthcare journey.

The pilot has also allowed for outreach to leading companies including third parties, such as employee benefits providers and contract research organizations (clinical trials), who have demonstrated interest in utilizing the network. This opens the door to collaboration and research opportunities, focused on lowering the cost of healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.