Canada Life announced this week that it has engaged Shoppers Drug Mart to launch a new health coaching program for plan members, led by the pharmacy retailer’s Health Solutions by Shoppers team.  

The insurer says the health coaching program evolved from a successful diabetes management, coaching and medication counselling program it launched with Shoppers Drug Mart back in 2013. The new program is designed to help Canadians prevent and manage other chronic conditions, as well.  

Canada Life adds that the incidence of chronic disease rose from 37 per cent to 58 per cent between 2007 and 2020, likely contributing to higher costs for prescription drugs and coverage for short-term disability leaves of absence and lower employee productivity. It also points to studies that have found that chronic conditions account for almost 68 per cent of overall drug spending and studies which found that the average duration of a short-term disability absence is 49 days per claim.  

To help, the Health Solutions by Shoppers team, with a mandate to deliver more cost-effective and sustainable employee benefits by focusing on employee well-being and ultimately on better health outcomes, will deliver the program remotely, giving participants access to pharmacists, nurses and dietitians from anywhere. The company adds that such access is especially important so employers can continue to support their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.