What We Do
Vital is the system connector for Canada’s pharmaceutical distribution sector and the broader supply chain. We represent an industry that serves as the critical link between pharmaceutical manufacturers and the pharmacies and hospitals that dispense health-enabling and life-saving medications.
The National Representative for Canada’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Vital serves as the central national alliance connecting the systems and professionals responsible for the distribution of medicines across Canada. We support a safe, efficient, and reliable supply chain that is essential to the Canadian healthcare system. By bridging the gap between manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and healthcare providers, Vital ensures that the industry can meet the diverse needs of patients in every community, from major urban centres to remote regions.
Advocacy, Education, and Strategic Collaboration
The organization’s work is built on three core pillars: advocacy, education, and collaboration. Vital acts as a unified force for the industry, engaging with federal and provincial governments to ensure that regulations and policies reflect the practical realities of pharmaceutical logistics. To maintain high industry standards, Vital provides professional development through specialized training and national conferences. These initiatives help members stay ahead of regulatory changes, technological advancements, and operational best practices, such as temperature-controlled distribution and digital supply chain integration.
Ensuring Supply Chain Resilience and Patient Access
Vital supports a massive infrastructure that manages over 15,000 pharmaceutical products, delivering approximately 90% of all retail medicines in Canada with a 99.9% accuracy rate. By providing a platform for risk management and real-time insights, we help our members anticipate market shifts. This collaborative network supports more than 12,000 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, ensuring that essential medications reach the point of care safely, on time, and without interruption.
The Scale of Our Members’ Impact
- Massive Reach
- Delivering about 90% of all retail brand and generic pharmaceuticals across Canada.
- Unmatched Accuracy
- Fulfilling orders with 99.9%+ accuracy across over 15,000 different pharmaceutical products.
- Rapid Delivery
- Providing next-day or same-day deliveries to most Canadian pharmacies, with some receiving up to 11 deliveries per week.
- Supply Chain Security
- Rigorously protecting the integrity of all products, including strict protocols for narcotics and cold-chain medications.