October 6, 2006 Source: :
http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/newsreleases.cfm?id=7926 $25 million commitment to U of A
includes largest ever one-time gift to a Canadian pharmacy
school The Katz
Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research to open in 2008 EDMONTON - Canada's largest drug store chain of companies, Edmonton-based
Katz Group, and the Provincial Government today announced they are each
contributing $7 million to the University of Alberta. The $14 million investment-the largest ever one-time gift to a Canadian
pharmacy school-will be used to support important new educational
initiatives in the Faculties of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Law. The Katz Group, owners of drug store chains Rexall, Medicine Shoppe, Pharma
Plus and Guardian IDA, has also committed to help the University raise an
additional $5.5 million from pharmaceutical and related industries. The
Provincial Government has agreed to match those monies as well, for a
potential total investment of $25 million. "We are proud to support the U of A as it builds its reputation as one of
North America's leading pharmacy programs," said Daryl Katz, a graduate of
the U of A's law school and Chairman, Katz Group. "At a time when
pharmacists are playing an expanding role in patient care, it's more
important than ever that we invest in developing our next generation of
health care professionals." University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera said, "We are absolutely
thrilled that the University of Alberta is the recipient of the single
largest one-time package of funding for any pharmacy faculty in the country.
This transformative gift from Mr. Katz, along with the Government of
Alberta's critical matching support, will enable us to enhance our students'
learning experience in what is already recognized as the best pharmacy
program in Canada. These kinds of partnerships also provide our
internationally renowned health researchers with the needed resources to
quickly translate their discoveries into significant advances for the
benefit of everyone accessing our health care system." Premier Ralph Klein said the private sector support for the University is "a
strong vote of confidence in the University's pharmacy program." "Daryl Katz and the Katz Group should be commended for this generous
donation," Klein continued. "Their willingness to invest in the next
generation of pharmacy students says a lot about their vision for the
future, and our government is proud to match the donation and support the
excellent work happening in the University of Alberta's pharmacy program." When fully funded, $12.5 million will be used to support capital costs of
construction, $10.5 will be used to support state-of-the-art educational and
research programs for pharmacy students and faculty, and $2 million will be
used to fund a joint Pharmacy-Law chair in health law research. Importantly, said the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences Franco Pasutto, "The funding will be used to support the
development of model pharmacies that will establish and support the total
pharmacy care concept. We want to be in the forefront of establishing a new
standard for pharmacy practice, as pharmacists begin to play a more
prominent role in primary health care. "The support will enhance our ability to conduct pharmacy practice-based
research that will generate the evidence to support this expanded role for
pharmacists," he said. Dean of Law David Percy said, "The Katz Group Chair in the Faculty of Law
will provide an important link between the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, by offering interdisciplinary training
in health law." To acknowledge the significant donation, the University will officially name
the health sciences building, now under construction at the corner of 87th
Avenue and 114th Street, The Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and
Health Research. When it opens in phases starting in fall 2007, the more
than $250 million building will give the University much-needed space to
expand its health sciences research and educational activities in the heart
of Edmonton's emerging health sciences district. "These new facilities
further position Edmonton as one of North America's leading centres for
interdisciplinary health sciences research" says Dr. Tom Marrie, Dean of the
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Major research units scheduled to be in
the new building include pharmaceutical sciences, cardiovascular
translational research, gastrointestinal inflammation research, spinal cord
research and viral hepatitis research. "I'm a firm believer that Alberta's business community needs to become more
deeply involved in the journey of post-secondary education, and that's
exactly what the Katz Group is doing," said Advanced Education Minister
Denis Herard. "The government's Access to the Future Fund is specifically
designed to support these kinds of private sector donations that help
strengthen the future of Alberta's post-secondary programs." About Katz Group Inc.
Established in 1990, Edmonton-based Katz Group is one of Canada's largest
privately owned companies, among the largest chain drug store companies in
North America, and the largest pharmacy retail network in Canada.
Encompassing more than 1,800 pharmacies, the Katz Group banner network
employs more than 15,000 people in Canada and the United States, with system
sales exceeding $6.5 billion. Pharmacy banners include Rexall Drug Stores,
Pharma Plus Drugmarts, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies, Guardian, I.D.A.,
Herbies/Payless in Canada and Snyder's Drug Stores in the U.S. Katz Group also owns Drug Trading Company Limited, ProPharm Limited, and
Canada's largest mail-order pharmacy Meditrust Healthcare Limited. Rexall
Brand is Katz Group's exclusive private label brand, available in all Katz
Group banner pharmacies in Canada. PharmAssist™ is Katz Group's professional
services brand uniting Katz Group banner pharmacies in Canada under one
nationally recognized symbol of excellence in pharmacy care. About the University of Alberta: Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of Canada's
premier teaching and research universities. With more than 200,000 alumni
worldwide, the University of Alberta currently serves some 36,000 students
with 11,000 faculty and staff. It is renowned for the Edmonton Protocol
diabetes treatment breakthrough, cutting edge nanotechnology, sustainable
energy research and English literature studies. The University leads the
country with the most 3M Fellows, Canada's most prestigious teaching award
for university teachers. For more information, please contact: File No: 43
Alan Bayless October 6, 2006 Katz Group spokesperson 604-694-6035 Sandra Halme Public Affairs, University of Alberta 780-492-0442 Sandra.halme@ualberta.ca
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