A Genrus United information session
‘We’ll be answering questions the public might have’
It was in late 2018 I first learned of Genrus United, who advertise as being a savings club for healthway services, sharing a vision of affordable access to essential medications and better health for Canadians.
Genrus United caught my attention when they became the major sponsor for the Truro-based Fundy Thunder team who play in the Nova Scotia Minor Midget AAA Hockey League.
Saturday, Genrus United will be offering an information session from 8 a.m. to noon at the Rath-eastlink Community Centre. This too had my attention; many of us are aware there is a problem Canada-wide with high numbers needing medication and prescriptions but because of affordability, they face a closed door.
In our travels, we would have to have our eyes shut not to notice individuals who appear in need of medication. It was easy to decide this was a story warranting coverage.
“Besides the information session, we’ll be answering questions the public might have,” Brandi Oderkirk, the Genrus United program director, said. “We’ll also be making a presentation to ‘Walk With A Doc’ participants prior to their 8 a.m. walk.”
Oderkirk has worked in the local community the past 20 years assisting families and individuals facing barriers to parenting, life skills, employment and health.
“The one barrier I have struggled with is mental health prescription and services affordability,” she said. “With Genrus United, we can remove the fi- nancial burden for many, we give them a better chance long term to overcome the other barriers they face in life.”
Genrus United is possibly the first health services buying group of its kind in Canada. Its office is on Pictou Road in Bible Hill. Genrus United is Canadianowned and offers membership-based access to lower prescription drug costs; members can save up to 50 per cent on a number of prescribed generic medications for chronic needs and chronic ailments.
“Over eight million Canadians struggle to afford prescription medications,” said Paul Graham, CEO and one of the founding members of Genrus United.
“There hasn’t been any forward action to provide Canadians with affordable prescription drugs, so it’s time for a real disruption, and doing what others talk about.
“We’ve created a better solution using the ‘cash’ payer buying power to negotiate lower costs for Canadians. A typical diabetic, for example, could save over $700 per year as a member of Genrus United.”
Dwayne Boudreau is vice president of marketing for Genrus United.
“One in five Canadians do not have access to an affordable health plan,” Boudreau said. “They pay full retail price for prescriptions because they cannot afford insurance premiums. Often, these people do not take life-saving medications. Many of the hardworking people are forced to prioritize their daily living expenses, pay cheque to pay cheque. Many sacrifice their health and do not treat chronic health conditions that further stress the health-care system.”
Boudreau explained that Genrus United, a new, independent Canadian company launched to the public in 2017, has a growing list of members who are saving thousands of dollars on their muchneeded prescription medications.
“An extensive network of service providers has been secured across Nova Scotia with urban and rural pharmacy partners stretching from Yarmouth to Glace Bay,” said Boudreau. “Genrus United increases patient traffic resulting in greater long-term sustainability for these independent pharmacies located across Nova Scotia.”
Boudreau confirmed the founders of Genrus United are a diverse group of Atlantic Canadians with backgrounds ranging from pharmacist and pharmacy owner to pharmaceutical sales. He said there is quite an impact of high prescription costs on families causing them to find it very difficult to afford health care.
“The founders cared enough to do something about it, Genrus United was created to offer the solution. They have taken their collective experience and optimized prices from manufacturers and wholesalers and pharmacies and are passing the savings on.”
Malcolm Macpherson, a consultant with Genrus United, is semiretired and has 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales marketing representative.
“My role is basically to promote the benefits of my company’s prescription medications throughout to help healthcare,” said Macpherson, of Truro. “This opportunity permits me to use my experience towards helping promote awareness of the Genrus United program to healthcare professionals in the hopes that it can assist many patients with more affordable medications.”