Yellowknife (Sep 05/03) - Stanton Territorial Hospital will have to add pharmacists to its list of required recruits.

After the only full-time pharmacist left to go to medical school, questions have been raised about how drugs will now be distributed.

Donna Zaozirny, director of operations at the hospital, is not too concerned about the situation.

"We are going through the recruitment process and that is all we can do at this time," he said.

While staff shortages at the hospital are an ongoing issue, Zaozirny explained that when it comes to dispensing prescribed pharmaceuticals, working with pharmacies on a long-distance basis and working with the retail market are solutions to the problem.

"Overall, we're not in bad shape," said Zaozirny.

As of July 2003, according to the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, the NWT member statistics stood at 36 licensed pharmacists, six community pharmacies and no accredited hospital pharmacies.

Meanwhile in Nunavut, the total number of pharmacists licensed to practice is five, with three community pharmacies.

"In smaller communities, it is easier to get into retail pharmacy," explained Zaozirny, adding the hospital administration is currently more concerned with nursing shortages.

"We are maintaining all of our units regardless of the shortages.

"We are always recruiting for staff, but that's standard. It's a global issue."

The Department of Health and Social Services refused to comment on questions related to staff shortages, claiming it is a "Stanton-specific issue."