About us

Vital represents an industry that provides an indispensable service to Canadians—supplying pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics with health-enabling and life-saving medicines.

Our mission and role

We are advocates not just for pharmaceutical distributors, but also for drug manufacturers and the pharmacies themselves. It can be a delicate balancing act because something beneficial to a member in one sector can be detrimental to one in another.

The Industry Commitment

Maximizing Efficiency & Building a Path Forward

Canada’s pharmaceutical distributors have maximized operational efficiencies through continuous innovation and investments in new facilities, IT, automation, and six-sigma capabilities. They continue to deliver on their promise of ensuring safe, secure, and timely access to healthcare products to all Canadians in the face of mounting industry pressures. Today, market conditions threaten the exemplary service standards that Canadians have come to rely on. Changing regulatory environments and shrinking revenue lines are forcing the industry to consider significant adjustments. CAPDM is committed to working with stakeholders to find solutions that support a path forward to sustain Canada’s globally revered pharmacy supply chain.

Bridging the gap 
for manufacturers

We act as the single point of contact for manufacturers, allowing them to instantly reach over 11,000+ pharmacies and hospitals without managing thousands of 
individual accounts.

Instant Market Access: Direct reach to a nationwide network of pharmacies and hospitals.

Operational Efficiency: Deal directly with a single distribution partner rather than thousands of 
individual outlets.

Streamlined Logistics: We handle the complexity of breaking down bulk shipments for granular delivery.

Powering the Supply Chain

We absorb the logistical complexity. From managing Health Canada compliance to handling volatile products, we act as the efficiency engine that keeps the system moving.

Complex Inventory Management: Handling of volatile, perishable, and cold-chain products.

Regulatory Compliance: Full management of Health Canada standards and requirements.

Pricing & Portfolios: Balancing thousands of pricing portfolios across hundreds of manufacturers.

Reverse Logistics: Efficient execution of product recalls and returns.

Reliability for Care Providers

We enable daily deliveries that allow pharmacies to maintain lower inventory levels and focus on what matters most: patient care.

Inventory Optimization: Daily deliveries equate to lower stock requirements and reduced overhead.

Financial Flexibility: Access to generous credit extensions to support operations.

Simplified Operations: Streamlined ordering processes and hassle-free returns.

Coast-to-Coast Reach: Consistent service regardless of urban or remote location.

We are the backbone of Canada’s pharmaceutical industry

Delivering about 90%

of all retail pharmaceuticals in Canada.

Truck

99.9%+ accuracy

in order fulfillment.

Pillsjar

Next day delivery or sooner

to most pharmacies in Canada, even in extreme weather and across Canada’s vast geography.

Pills

Up to 11 deliveries

per week directly to pharmacies.

Over 15,000 pharmaceutical products

warehoused and shipped.

An average of 240,000 orders

processed by distributors per week to pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics nationwide.

4 million packs of products

valued at more than $700 million at any given time managed by our network.

How we help

Behind the scenes, our members manage the systems that move medicines across Canada through complex, highly regulated operations. Vital supports them by convening partners, sharing knowledge, advancing standards and best practices, and engaging on policy issues that affect supply continuity. Together, this work strengthens the reliability and efficiency of Canada’s medicine supply, helping protect access for patients and communities.

We give members the tools to lead and deliver

Gain exclusive insights, influence industry trends, and build essential relationships for your success.

Become a member