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News
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Jones questions decision to award pharmacy contract to
Quebec company June 13, 2006
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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Critic for Health and Community Services and MHA
for the District of Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, says she is concerned with
the decision of Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne to award
a $25 million contract to a Quebec company to develop a pharmacy network in
this province.
Last week, government awarded the pharmacy network contract to Emergis, a company based in Quebec, even though X-Wave, a Newfoundland and Labrador based company, had applied and had the appropriate level of expertise to develop and implement this type of system. "I find it very surprising that this government would contract a Quebec company to develop a pharmacy network when the expertise exists in this province," said Ms. Jones. "Everyday we have our skilled workforce leaving the province in search of employment. This government contract would have been a significant opportunity to grow our expertise and skill base, while creating employment opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Unfortunately, government did not see the wisdom in establishing this program using a company based in this province. "X-Wave is a company that has a significant presence in this province and has operations throughout Canada making it a national company. While our provincial government continues the rhetoric that they are committed to growing opportunities for people in this province, our tax dollars are going to subsidize jobs in Quebec. These are certainly not the actions of a government committed to enhancing our skill base and employment opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. "While the pharmacy network concept is positive, I am disappointed that it appears our provincial government is lacking the confidence in our workforce to establish this system. If this government’s current approach continues, there may not be anyone left in the province to use this pharmacy system."
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