Quebec Superior Court has authorized a class-action lawsuit on behalf of members of Pharmaprix‘s popular Optimum loyalty program.
Members have seen the value of their points drop since changes were instituted to the program on July 1, 2010 by the parent company, Shoppers Drug Mart, which the pharmacy chain operates in the rest of Canada.
The changes to the program have devalued accumulated points.
Marie-Anais Sauve, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said that lowering the value of points without the consent of consumers is abusive and illegal.
The class-action suit aims to compensate members for the loss of the value of their points as well as reinstituting the old values.
The class includes all Pharmaprix Optimum members who were living in Quebec on June 30, 2010, of which there are an estimated 1.4 million members.
A trial would only begin in a few years.
