Partnership will service 22 remote nursing stations

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This article was published 21/7/2015 (2527 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A pharmacy services partnership between the Manitoba northern chiefs organization and the North West Company has won a Health Canada contract to service northern nursing stations.

And officials from the two organizations believe the $9 million to $10 million per year contract could evolve into an even more substantial enterprise, perhaps servicing other First Nations across the country.

The entity, called Muskehki Pharmacy, is 60 per cent owned by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents 30 First Nations in northern Manitoba, and 40 per cent by the North West Company (NWC).

The contract by Health Canada is to provide pharmacy support services and medical supplies to medical professionals and clients in 22 remote nursing stations in First Nations communities in northern Manitoba.

The partnership was formed in 2010 but was unsuccessful in its first bid -- the last time the contract was up for tender.

'This is the first one of its kind. It is leading edge. It could be a blueprint for what could happen in the future. It's a great opportunity'‐ North West Company's Dan McConnell

MKO Grand Chief David Harper said the interest in lining up this work is part of a larger effort to improve services, expand revenue sources and build up professional capacity in the First Nations communities.

"We are interested in having our own pharmacists and pharma-techs," he said. "This is a good opportunity for training and professional development."

Muskehki has a pharmacy licence already and operates a store-front pharmacy at the NWC-owned Valu Lots Discount Centre on Wall Street.

"Any time we think we can reach out and create a business entity that can give back to the communities we serve we are very interested in pursing those opportunities," said Dan McConnell, executive vice-president and chief development officer of NWC.

The Wall Street location will be the central prescription fill and distribution location. McConnell said there is a hiring spree going on right now.

He said efforts are being made to hire as many aboriginal people as possible to fill available positions.

Muskehki Pharmacy's contract takes effect next month. It will be the provider of patient medication shipped to those 22 nursing stations through the non-insured health benefits program.

It has a one-year contract and Health Canada has the option to extend it for an additional two years.

In addition to dispensing medication, the partnership will offer counselling to patients and support to health-care professionals working in the communities.

"What we are trying to do is implement a sustainable health-care model," said Laurie Kaminsky, vice-president of NWC health products and services.

It will use a telehealth network the NWC has been building to support a network of 12 pharmacies it currently operates within its 129 Northern and NorthMart stores.

It also already operates the largest telepharmacy service provider in Canada, North West Telepharmacy Solutions.

Harper said MKO's involvement in securing the contract is part of efforts of First Nations communities to have more control of their communities' administration.

Muskehki has the potential for on-going wealth creation.

As well as dispensing prescription medication in a timely way to nursing stations in the 22 northern communities, Muskehki has the possibility to develop a wholesale business.

Harper said he has already had conversations with First Nations groups in Saskatchewan and Ontario as well as some in the U.S.

McConnell agreed the model could be used in other jurisdictions.

"This is the first one of its kind. It is leading edge," McConnell said.

"It could be a blueprint for what could happen (in other jurisdictions) in the future. It's a great opportunity."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca