If you‘re one of the millions of Americans who can‘t imagine life without CVS, you might assume this ubiquitous pharmacy chain has locations in Canada too. After all, our neighbor to the north shares many similarities in culture and retail offerings. But as a consumer expert specializing in the pharmacy and drugstore industry, I‘m here to give you the full scoop on CVS‘s Canadian presence (or lack thereof).
CVS: A Pharmacy Powerhouse in the US
First, let‘s put CVS‘s massive size and influence into context. With nearly 10,000 locations across all 50 states, CVS is the undisputed leader in the US pharmacy market. In fact, almost 85% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a CVS store! The company raked in a staggering $268 billion in revenue in 2021, making it the fourth largest US corporation by sales (Fortune).
CVS stores offer a one-stop-shop for prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, health and beauty items, snacks, and general merchandise. The company has also made big investments in health services in recent years, with over 1,100 MinuteClinic locations providing basic care and over 4 million customers on its Aetna insurance plans. Clearly, CVS is a force to be reckoned with in the US market.
The Canadian Pharmacy Landscape
So what about Canada? The Great White North‘s pharmacy market is sizable in its own right, valued at over $34 billion annually with steady growth projected (IQVIA). Canada has a much smaller population than the US, with around 38 million people, but a similar proportion of around 43% of Canadians had a prescription filled in the past year compared to 50% of Americans (CIHI, CDC).
Like in the US, a handful of major pharmacy chains dominate the Canadian market. Shoppers Drug Mart is the leader with around 1,300 locations, followed by Rexall with 400, Pharmaprix (in Quebec) with 400, London Drugs with 80 (primarily in Western Canada), and Lawtons Drugs with 80 in Atlantic Canada (Canadian Pharmacy Association). These chains offer similar mixes of prescriptions, health products, beauty items, and convenience goods as American pharmacies. Prescription drugs are a roughly $16 billion market in Canada, with the remainder going to front-store items (IQVIA).
What About CVS?
Now to the heart of the matter: are there any CVS stores in Canada? The answer is a simple no. Despite its dominance in the US, CVS does not operate a single store in Canada, nor does it have any e-commerce or shipping presence for the Canadian market. This may come as a surprise given how ubiquitous CVS is stateside and how much trade flows between the two countries.
There are a few reasons why CVS and other major US pharmacy players like Walgreens haven‘t made the leap to Canada. For one, the Canadian market is much smaller, with a population slightly larger than California‘s. The major urban markets where drug stores thrive are also largely saturated between the existing major chains and independent pharmacies.
Canada also has a very different regulatory system for prescription drugs and health services, with a universal public health insurance system and provincial administration (Government of Canada). This can make it harder for an outside player to break in, as the provinces hold a lot of power in how prescription drugs are priced and distributed. The US also prohibits the import of prescription drugs from Canada for personal use, removing one potential incentive for CVS to establish a presence there (FDA).
So in short, while CVS may seem to be everywhere in the US market, it is completely absent in Canada, for a combination of market and regulatory reasons. This hasn‘t stopped the company from becoming one of the largest in the US, but it does mean Canadians have to look elsewhere for their pharmacy needs.
How Do Canadian Pharmacies Stack Up?
As a savvy shopper and consumer expert, I‘m always eager to see how different markets compare in their pharmacy and retail offerings. And I have to say, the leading Canadian chains give CVS a run for its money in terms of convenience, service, and selection.
Shoppers Drug Mart, for instance, offers a very similar mix of products as CVS, with pharmacy services, health and beauty items, snacks, and general merchandise. They‘ve also innovated with e-commerce for fast delivery, online prescription refills, and even medical cannabis partnerships. With over $11 billion in annual revenue, they‘re a heavyweight in the Canadian retail landscape (Forbes).
Rexall is another strong player in the pharmacy space, with a focus on patient care and community health. They offer immunizations, medication reviews, diabetes support, and even mental health services. Rexall also has a popular rewards program and e-commerce site for online shopping and prescription delivery (Rexall).
In Quebec, Pharmaprix (which is owned by Shoppers Drug Mart but branded separately) is a market leader with a similar full-service offering. Their flyer specials and promotions are a hit with bargain-seeking Quebecers.
One unique element of the Canadian market is the strength of regional chains like London Drugs in Western Canada and Lawtons Drugs in Atlantic Canada. These chains have a strong community presence and loyalty, and tailor their offerings to local tastes. London Drugs, for instance, is known for its extensive electronics and photography selection in addition to health and beauty (London Drugs).
Overall, while the specific banners may be different, Canadian consumers have access to a range of convenient, well-stocked pharmacies for their prescription and shopping needs. Prices are generally a bit lower than at US pharmacies, though the universal health insurance system makes the comparison tricky (IQVIA). And with a growing e-commerce presence, personalized rewards programs, and online prescription tools, Canadian pharmacies are keeping up with the latest in retail innovation.
A Few Tips for Americans Visiting Canada
So what should an American tourist do if they‘re visiting Canada and need to fill a prescription or grab some health essentials? First, don‘t expect to find a CVS on every corner – you‘ll have to seek out one of the domestic chains or independent pharmacies instead.
Most Canadian provinces allow pharmacists to provide emergency prescription refills for chronic medications to out-of-province visitors. Just bring your prescription bottle or label and explain your situation. Note that you‘ll have to pay cash for the medication and submit the receipt to your insurer for potential reimbursement later.
If you just need basic over-the-counter items like pain relievers, cold and flu medicine, or toiletries, any of the major pharmacy chains will have you covered and then some. They‘re easy to find in most urban areas and even smaller communities. Walmart and Costco also have a presence in Canada with in-store pharmacies and wide selections, though you‘ll need a membership for the latter.
One interesting fact for cross-border visitors is that you can bring prescription drugs back with you to the US from Canada, but only a 90-day supply for personal use. The drugs must also be ones that are already legal in the US (FDA). So don‘t expect to stock up on months‘ worth of cheap Canadian generics!
The Bottom Line
In summary, despite CVS‘s massive footprint in the United States, the pharmacy giant does not have any stores in Canada. With a mature, consolidated market dominated by domestic heavyweights like Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall, along with a very different regulatory system, Canada has not been a target for expansion by American drugstore chains.
But Canadian consumers are well-served by their own national and regional pharmacy brands, which offer strong analogues to CVS in terms of convenience, selection, and increasingly, omnichannel integration. From rewards programs to e-commerce to in-store health services, there‘s a lot of innovation happening in the Canadian pharmacy space that even diehard CVS fans could learn to love.
So if you‘re an American feeling lost without your trusty CVS while traveling in Canada, fear not – just seek out one of the many Shoppers Drug Marts, Rexalls, or other domestic standbys for all your pharmacy and everyday shopping needs. And who knows – you may discover some new favorites to bring back stateside with you on your next trip. Happy shopping!
