In addition to a full complement of services already provided in English, Medbuy will develop capabilities to offer some communication tools and documentation in French. The organization will also focus on building the bilingual capability within its staff.

"We represent more than 350 hospitals and healthcare organizations across Canada, so providing service in both official languages is a natural and logical step for us," says Rick Cochrane, Medbuy's President and CEO. "But more importantly, bilingual service is an important component of adding value to our overall service offering."

Several Medbuy Members represent significant French-speaking populations including New Brunswick's Beauséjour Regional Health Authority (now a part of Regional Health Authority A) and Ontario's Hôpital Régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital (Windsor) and Queensway Carleton Hospital (Ottawa). This means the decision to offer more service in French was an important consideration for Medbuy's Board of Directors.

"By providing some service in French, Medbuy has demonstrated its commitment to Members," notes Joey Caissie, Medbuy Board Member and Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Services for Regional Health Authority A. "The benefits for the membership are significant. Additional service will provide even more opportunity to participate within Medbuy and access the value membership has to offer."

Medbuy Members should see the addition of a French language service offering over the next 12-18 months.

About Medbuy
Medbuy is Canada's leading healthcare Group Purchasing Organization, harnessing the purchasing power of 35% of Canada's hospitals and health care organizations. We deliver the best net price for health care supplies, pharmaceuticals and services, at the lowest cost, and secure value-added benefits that enhance our Members' knowledge base. In 2007, our Members purchased $613 million from Medbuy contracts. In turn, Medbuy returned more than $31.5 in rebates to its membership.

Medbuy helps healthcare organizations to maximize their supply chain savings which enables them to reinvest dollars where it counts - into patient care.