Business case for a regional production centre for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Providence Health Care pharmacy divisions

Having recently merged and reorganized Vancouver Coastal Health’s Pharmacy division is evaluating methods for increasing patient safety and cost effectiveness. By conducting stakeholder interviews and research this project has established and weighed the costs and benefits of centralizing pharmacy production within a new pharmacy distribution centre or within existing facilities. Several other health authorities have built or are considering similar projects and their experience is integrated into this evaluation. Our research shows that in the short term the region’s capabilities and obligations necessitate using existing facilities but that planning should commence immediately to provide for construction of a new distribution centre by 2009.