Latest news with #GreenShield
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
GreenShield Expands Essential Medicines Program Across Canada to Bridge Gaps in Drug Coverage for Underserved Canadians
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ - GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is proud to announce the expansion of its Essential Medicines program (EMP) to Nova Scotia and Alberta. This milestone reinforces GreenShield's commitment to bridging the health equity gap by supporting underserved Canadians. With over one million Canadians lacking prescription drug coverage, this expansion builds on the success of the program's 2023 launch in Ontario and reflects GreenShield's vision for a scalable, community-driven model that delivers universal drug coverage where it is needed most. GreenShield's Essential Medicines program provides 12 months of access to essential prescription medications - up to a value of $1,000 - at no cost to eligible individuals without private or public drug coverage. Medications are dispensed, shipped, and supported through GreenShield's pharmacy, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience for those who need it most. 'Our Essential Medicines program is rooted in our founding purpose,' said Zahid Salman, President & CEO of GreenShield. 'Nearly 70 years ago, our journey began in a Windsor pharmacy, where a mother faced an impossible choice between her health and her child's. That moment inspired our founder to create North America's first prepaid drug plan. Today, that same belief drives us: no Canadian should have to choose between health and affordability. This program shows how public-private partnerships can create lasting, scalable solutions to Canada's healthcare challenges.' Tailored Regional Delivery GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is delivered through customized, community-based partnerships that reflect the unique needs of each region. This approach enables GreenShield to reach those most in need. In Nova Scotia, for example, GreenShield works through a referral-based partnership model with IONS (Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia), connecting with local organizations whose staff and clients require access to essential medicines. One participant, Emily McCallum, a part-time student and nanny managing a fibromyalgia diagnosis, shared: 'It definitely took a large chunk of stress out of things. Even if a doctor changes my medication, I don't have to panic about whether I can afford it. There's at least one consistent thing in my healthcare now—and that gives me more space to focus on school.' In Alberta, the program is being piloted in partnership with The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary, which has served the city's most vulnerable residents for over 50 years. Bethan Simms, Director of Primary Care at The Alex, noted: 'We see people delay or abandon treatment because they simply can't afford it. GreenShield's partnership has been essential for creating a responsive and supportive environment for our team's needs.' A Scalable Model for National Impact GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is more than a short-term solution—it's a proven, scalable, and sustainable blueprint for equitable access to prescription drug coverage in Canada. As a purpose-driven, non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield reinvests its services and excess earnings to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations. The organization focuses its efforts where it has the expertise to make the greatest impact—specifically in the areas of mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. The Essential Medicines program is one of several signature initiatives under the GreenShield Cares social impact platform. It is designed to fill critical gaps in the current system by supporting individuals who lack drug coverage, without reducing access for those with employer-sponsored plans or shifting the funding burden to taxpayers. By working with trusted community partners, the program is tailored to local needs while complementing existing public and private systems. 'As we expand to more provinces, the impact of our Essential Medicines program will grow—not just in prescriptions filled, but in lives impacted,' said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, GreenShield Cares. 'This is what it looks like when a purpose-driven non-profit organization works hand-in-hand with community partners to deliver meaningful, measurable change. It's not just about access—it's about dignity, equity, and building a healthier future for all.' This program builds on GreenShield's long-standing commitment to addressing Canada's most pressing health challenges through data-informed, community-based solutions. As outlined in its 2024 Impact Report, GreenShield has invested over $59 million and positively impacted nearly 750,000 lives, and is on track to reach its goal of investing $75 million to improve the lives of at least one million Canadians by the end of 2025. Read GreenShield's full Impact Report here: SOURCE GreenShield
Cision Canada
7 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
GreenShield Expands Essential Medicines Program Across Canada to Bridge Gaps in Drug Coverage for Underserved Canadians Français
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ - GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is proud to announce the expansion of its Essential Medicines program (EMP) to Nova Scotia and Alberta. This milestone reinforces GreenShield's commitment to bridging the health equity gap by supporting underserved Canadians. With over one million Canadians lacking prescription drug coverage, this expansion builds on the success of the program's 2023 launch in Ontario and reflects GreenShield's vision for a scalable, community-driven model that delivers universal drug coverage where it is needed most. GreenShield's Essential Medicines program provides 12 months of access to essential prescription medications - up to a value of $1,000 - at no cost to eligible individuals without private or public drug coverage. Medications are dispensed, shipped, and supported through GreenShield's pharmacy, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience for those who need it most. "Our Essential Medicines program is rooted in our founding purpose," said Zahid Salman, President & CEO of GreenShield. "Nearly 70 years ago, our journey began in a Windsor pharmacy, where a mother faced an impossible choice between her health and her child's. That moment inspired our founder to create North America's first prepaid drug plan. Today, that same belief drives us: no Canadian should have to choose between health and affordability. This program shows how public-private partnerships can create lasting, scalable solutions to Canada's healthcare challenges." Tailored Regional Delivery GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is delivered through customized, community-based partnerships that reflect the unique needs of each region. This approach enables GreenShield to reach those most in need. In Nova Scotia, for example, GreenShield works through a referral-based partnership model with IONS (Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia), connecting with local organizations whose staff and clients require access to essential medicines. One participant, Emily McCallum, a part-time student and nanny managing a fibromyalgia diagnosis, shared: "It definitely took a large chunk of stress out of things. Even if a doctor changes my medication, I don't have to panic about whether I can afford it. There's at least one consistent thing in my healthcare now—and that gives me more space to focus on school." In Alberta, the program is being piloted in partnership with The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary, which has served the city's most vulnerable residents for over 50 years. Bethan Simms, Director of Primary Care at The Alex, noted: "We see people delay or abandon treatment because they simply can't afford it. GreenShield's partnership has been essential for creating a responsive and supportive environment for our team's needs." A Scalable Model for National Impact GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is more than a short-term solution—it's a proven, scalable, and sustainable blueprint for equitable access to prescription drug coverage in Canada. As a purpose-driven, non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield reinvests its services and excess earnings to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations. The organization focuses its efforts where it has the expertise to make the greatest impact—specifically in the areas of mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. The Essential Medicines program is one of several signature initiatives under the GreenShield Cares social impact platform. It is designed to fill critical gaps in the current system by supporting individuals who lack drug coverage, without reducing access for those with employer-sponsored plans or shifting the funding burden to taxpayers. By working with trusted community partners, the program is tailored to local needs while complementing existing public and private systems. "As we expand to more provinces, the impact of our Essential Medicines program will grow—not just in prescriptions filled, but in lives impacted," said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, GreenShield Cares. "This is what it looks like when a purpose-driven non-profit organization works hand-in-hand with community partners to deliver meaningful, measurable change. It's not just about access—it's about dignity, equity, and building a healthier future for all." This program builds on GreenShield's long-standing commitment to addressing Canada's most pressing health challenges through data-informed, community-based solutions. As outlined in its 2024 Impact Report, GreenShield has invested over $59 million and positively impacted nearly 750,000 lives, and is on track to reach its goal of investing $75 million to improve the lives of at least one million Canadians by the end of 2025.
The Age
28-05-2025
- The Age
Tableware gets the stamp of approval
'My family arrived in Australia for a three-year-stay in 1956,' writes Simon Dixon of Bolton Point. 'Having been raised alongside Green Shield stamps (C8) in the UK, the rewards concept wasn't new to us and my mother soon discovered that Kellogg's was offering silverware in exchange for tokens from its product. On the menu for the next three years, Corn Flakes and All-Bran featured daily as we raced the clock before our return to England. We succeeded, and the cutlery came back with us, only to return when my father retired and migrated to Australia in 1966. I followed with my family in 1970. Both parents are no longer with us, but the cutlery is still in use, appearing on my table daily. While I still regularly eat All-Bran (because it keeps you regular), I still can't face Corn Flakes.' Malcolm Nicholson from Katoomba writes: 'When I was a kid, Marchant soft drinks used to give away kites if you collected enough bottle tops. I remember sending off the required number and nothing arrived. A letter of complaint followed and one duly arrived, followed by a second one a month late. They were great kites, but they usually ended up in trees.' 'It's elementary, my dear Graeme Finn (C8), you probably just need to check your Hotmail to look out for the missing model number of your Email cooker,' suggests Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld). 'Or maybe just try turning it off and on again.' Brian Harris of Port Macquarie has an eyewitness account of his letter box theft (C8): 'Thieves had trouble removing our letter box so they took the whole gate. We were watching them but didn't say anything for fear they would take offence.' 'I've never had a letter box stolen, but I've been letter box bombed twice,' reveals Jeff Evans of Cambewarra. 'Once in Greystanes in the 1980s and a second 20 years later in Cambewarra. Caught the first culprit but not the second. The family were amazed that I thought it hilarious. A touch of karma from the Fifties?'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tableware gets the stamp of approval
'My family arrived in Australia for a three-year-stay in 1956,' writes Simon Dixon of Bolton Point. 'Having been raised alongside Green Shield stamps (C8) in the UK, the rewards concept wasn't new to us and my mother soon discovered that Kellogg's was offering silverware in exchange for tokens from its product. On the menu for the next three years, Corn Flakes and All-Bran featured daily as we raced the clock before our return to England. We succeeded, and the cutlery came back with us, only to return when my father retired and migrated to Australia in 1966. I followed with my family in 1970. Both parents are no longer with us, but the cutlery is still in use, appearing on my table daily. While I still regularly eat All-Bran (because it keeps you regular), I still can't face Corn Flakes.' Malcolm Nicholson from Katoomba writes: 'When I was a kid, Marchant soft drinks used to give away kites if you collected enough bottle tops. I remember sending off the required number and nothing arrived. A letter of complaint followed and one duly arrived, followed by a second one a month late. They were great kites, but they usually ended up in trees.' 'It's elementary, my dear Graeme Finn (C8), you probably just need to check your Hotmail to look out for the missing model number of your Email cooker,' suggests Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld). 'Or maybe just try turning it off and on again.' Brian Harris of Port Macquarie has an eyewitness account of his letter box theft (C8): 'Thieves had trouble removing our letter box so they took the whole gate. We were watching them but didn't say anything for fear they would take offence.' 'I've never had a letter box stolen, but I've been letter box bombed twice,' reveals Jeff Evans of Cambewarra. 'Once in Greystanes in the 1980s and a second 20 years later in Cambewarra. Caught the first culprit but not the second. The family were amazed that I thought it hilarious. A touch of karma from the Fifties?'
The Age
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Tea drinkers have a ball
John Brown of Kianga 'can remember my brothers getting a Lan-Choo [C8] rugby ball with 450 packet ends. They kept countless people, with 50 packet ends for tea towels, waiting impatiently while they were counted. They collected them from friends and family. There was a rumour that you could get a car if you had enough, but that might've been a story for a gullible 10-year-old.' Or that might've been a Matchbox car. It seems the Brits got better value, as Susan Bradley of Eltham (Vic) can attest: 'Without wishing to one-up Lan-Choo tea rewards, I'm still using a meat mincer redeemed in approximately 1969 from Guards Gift Parade. Guards as in Guards cigarettes. The mincer is as good as new. And I believe the heavy steel ironing board that I still use was redeemed in 1968 with Green Shield stamps. Yes, we even brought the ironing board when we emigrated.' While Deni McKenzie of Armidale says, 'the first time I watched colour TV [C8], I was shocked at Richard Morecroft's choice of tie!', the experience of Col Burns of Lugarno was even more shattering: 'My first colour TV experience was wasted watching St George lose the 1975 Grand Final 38 to nil. To this day, I have only monochrome memories of Graeme Langlands' outrageous (for the era) white boots and a consuming black mood that lasted for days.' 'My grandson, born in the Philippines, was used to TV programs dubbed in Tagalog,' says Barry Riley of Woy Woy. 'Soon after moving to Sydney, he rushed up to his mother, shouting 'Mummy, the Teletubbies can speak English!'' 'In February, 1977, I had my first trip to the UK,' writes John Loveridge of Tewantin (Qld). 'After watching shows like Coronation Street on a black-and-white TV, I fully expected London to look like that. It was winter, it was dreary, and it did.' Judy Finch of Taree really needs 'a 'smart' fridge [C8] which will go just that little bit further and strongly refuse to open by mind-reading my intentions to polish off leftovers late at night (as Nigella is wont to do). I'm hoping that feature isn't too far off.' Spare a thought for our flood-bound friend, Rosemary Seam of Kempsey: 'Cut off by floodwaters, what we're missing most is our Herald delivery. Reading you online is just not the same, especially the crossword. Old habits die hard.'
