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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There's a new face in pharmacy on Old Airport Road.

Ian Wasserman, a Yellowknife resident for more than five years, is owner and pharmacist at Yellowknife's newest pharmacy, The Medicine Shoppe, on Old Airport Road. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

Ian Wasserman is owner and pharmacist of The Medicine Shoppe, located at Old Airport Road and Borden Drive, which opened in October.

"What differentiates us is very personalized, timely service for people," said Wasserman.

"Everything here lends itself to the goal of personalized and timely service. From the time you walk in, it's a very intimate environment."

Upon walking in the front door, the first thing visible is a waiting area complete with chairs, electric fireplace, reading materials, and a selection of both warm and cold beverages. The area serves as both a place for people to wait for their prescriptions to be filled and as somewhere to talk discreetly and comfortably with the pharmacist.

Wasserman said he and his partner Rielle Nakehk'o, who helps run the pharmacy, hope to return to the feeling of a "mom-and-pop style" pharmacy.

Wasserman moved to Yellowknife five years ago from Saskatchewan and had intended to only stay for a couple of years. The friendliness of the people, the abundance of community recreation programs, and the variety of outdoor activities available won both Wasserman and Nakehk'o over.

Now that they have opened a business in Yellowknife, they feel an even greater attachment to the community, said Wasserman.

"We want to be really tied to the community," he said. "When you open you're own business in town, you just want to give back to the people who support you here."

One of the ways Wasserman said he hopes to do that is through monthly or bi-monthly health programs. The first program took place in November where people could test their bone density and learn about bone health.

Wasserman said he expects to holds another health program in January where people will be able to have their cholesterol tested and learn about how to manage their cholesterol levels in a healthy way.

He said he also plans to work with community groups such as the Yellowknife Seniors Society to host educational programs about health and wellness.

As the owner of a Medicine Shoppe franchise, Wasserman has access to one of the largest pharmaceutical suppliers in Canada.

In addition to the selection and price benefits that arrangement provides, Wasserman said he is also free to use additional suppliers to purchase other brands or products Yellowknife residents may be seeking.

Wasserman said he's currently carrying products he knows people will need for now but is looking forward to learning about other products needed by local physicians, naturopaths and Yellowknife residents.

"In a year from now it will likely look a lot different in here," he said.

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