Simon poised to tackle healthcare, supply chain issues

Drug Store News, Oct 20, 1997 by Lisa I. Fried

TORONTO -- Just a few weeks into her new post as president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, Monika Simon is poised to tackle several crucial issues facing Canadian drug chains today and lead the association into the future.

In an exclusive interview with Drug Store News, Simon and Sherry Porter, outgoing president of CACDS, outlined the strategic issues facing the association in the coming year and the progress CACDS has made since its formation in 1995.

"I am delighted to be taking over from Sherry who has done a fabulous job of managing this association," said Simon, who joined CACDS in late September from the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors where she held a senior management post.

The CACDS post was appealing, she said, because it affords her the opportunity to manage a healthy organization, carry out a focused strategic plan and develop new opportunities for the nearly three-year-old association.

According to Simon, priorities for CACDS this year include both healthcare and supply chain issues. On the healthcare front, Canadian drug chains are concerned about moves by the provinces to reduce the professional fees paid to pharmacies, as well as the federal government's proposal to develop a national Pharmacare program, which would include prescription drugs.

"We need to convince government that we are an essential partner in discussing healthcare reforms," said Simon. "Without a strong voice, pharmacy is in danger at retail," added Porter, who will remain with CACDS for a few months to help Simon with the transition. "There is a huge job to do interacting with the 10 governments [in the provinces] to make sure the 50 percent compensation [for pharmacies] doesn't go down the toilet," Porter said.

As for the federal government's plan, she said, "We think that they have made an announcement without researching it." Citing one problem with the plan as an example, Porter said, "How do you get 10 provinces to agree to one formulary?"

Supply chain issues are also important for CACDS this year. CACDS supermarket chain members have made significant progress with efficient consumer response initiatives, she said, and some of its drug chain members are developing technologies to streamline the supply chain.

CACDS hopes to push industry progress on this matter forward. "We are really at the early stage and need to be more pro-active," said Simon. "We want to keep pace with technology and work with some standards." Consequently, CACDS plans to form a group of suppliers, wholesalers and retailers to work on this issue. Ultimately, the group will develop ECR pilots for the industry.

During her career, Simon has worked extensively with government officials and gained substantial marketing, planning and management experience. "We are very pleased to welcome Monika to the association," said Len Marks, chairman of CACDS. "We have entered a time of renewed growth, and Monika's experience in the retail sector and with government will help pave the way for future development."

Porter, who was hired to start CACDS, said she is pleased to be turning the reins over to a strong successor and proud of the association's accomplishments. "We are much further ahead than anyone thought we would be," she said, noting that the association's current membership roster of 16 chains and 125 associate members is double the size originally anticipated.

The association was formed in February 1995 to bring Canadian chain drug retailers and suppliers together and provide a unified voice for retailers to address the government's involvement in pharmacy matters.

Porter and her husband plan to return to her roots in Novia Scotia, a move that has been planned for some time. She is not sure what her next career move will be.

Porter joined CACDS from Shoppers Drug Mart, where she was vice president of public and government affairs. Prior to working for Shoppers, she held a number of posts in the grocery business and was a vice president at a large provincial utility.