Saskatchewan Health and CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB, TSE:GIB.A) today announced the signing of a 27-month agreement, valued at CDN$3.8 million, whereby CGI will provide outsourcing and support services for the Provincial Prescription Drug Plan. As a part of this agreement, CGI will continue to provide a dedicated application development and support team to meet Saskatchewan Health's ongoing needs for system development and enhancements.
In 1989, CGI and Saskatchewan Health introduced a computerized online system to administer the adjudication of prescription drug plan claims for the residents of Saskatchewan. This system allows the dispensing pharmacist to submit a drug claim to the Saskatchewan Department of Health in a real time mode while the prescription is being filled.
Over the past two years CGI has worked with Saskatchewan Health to deploy an Internet-based client application for use by pharmacy staff in approximately 370 pharmacies across the province. The system runs out of CGI's data centre located in Regina.
"By using Web-based technologies pharmacists can process their prescription-drug claims four times faster than our previous terminal-based system, resulting in better service to pharmacy customers," said Peter Suwala, director of Systems and Client Support Services, Saskatchewan Drug Plan. "Our role is to provide an infrastructure that is stable, strong and efficient for our network of pharmacists. Through our service partnership with CGI, I am proud to say that we have done just that."
Mike Roach, CGI's executive vice-president and general manager, Canada added: "We are very pleased with our continued long-term partnership with Saskatchewan Health. I am proud of our dedicated team who continuously ensures the highest degree of online service while system changes, such as the switch over to the Web-based front-end, are delivered seamlessly and on time."
The Provincial Prescription Drug Plan is one of the province-wide programs and services Saskatchewan Health is responsible for. Saskatchewan Health's goal is to improve the health, in its broadest context, of both individuals and society within a financially sustainable framework, and to provide leadership in defining and implementing a vision for health and a framework for the health system as well as assess, promote and protect the health of the Saskatchewan population. Saskatchewan Health plays a vital role in working with the province's 32 health districts and one northern authority to ensure quality health services are available throughout the province.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is the fifth largest independent information technology services firm in North America, based on its headcount of more than 10,000 professionals. CGI's order backlog totals approximately US$5.3 billion (CDN$8.2 billion) and its revenue run-rate is close to US$1 billion (CDN$1.5 billion). CGI provides end-to-end IT services and business solutions to 2,500 clients in the United States, Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. CGI's shares are listed on the NYSE (GIB), as well as on the TSE (GIB.A). They are included in the Toronto Stock Exchange's TSE 300 index as well as the S&P/TSE Canadian Information Technology index. Web site: www.cgi.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements represent CGI Group Inc.'s intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
These factors include and are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in the rapidly-evolving information technology industry; general economic and business conditions; and other risks identified in Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CGI Group Inc.'s annual report or Form 40F filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and the Company's Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities commissions. All of the risk factors included in these filed documents are included here by reference. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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