LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
With one slice of his scissors, Northern Store manager John Dempsey cut the ribbon to Fort Simpson's new pharmacy.
Nancy Woods: Is the new pharmacist at the Northern Store in Fort Simpson. Generally, the Northern Store does not open pharmacies in communities with less than 3,000 people. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
|
The first of its kind in the village, the fully-stocked pharmacy is also the smallest that Northern has ever opened.
Dempsey said it will give the community access to a wider selection of over-the-counter medication than previously available in Simpson, and eliminate the need for prescriptions to arrive by mail.
Dempsey said the pharmacy has been a work in progress for the past three years and credited the village for seeking feedback from the community on whether a pharmacy is necessary - the majority of which was a resounding 'yes.'
"Once we brought forward the idea, it was a long process from our company's point of view. There was a lot of work done on (Northern's) end," he said.
The new pharmacy will be run by Nancy Woods, who has 40 years of experience as a pharmacist.
Woods arrived in the village on May 24 after driving all the way from Price Edward Island with her wife, as well as their three dogs and two cats.
For Woods, living in NWT means she can cross an item off her "bucket list."
A born and raised Torontonian, she said she isn't concerned about the small nature of Fort Simpson and surrounding communities, and is excited to get started.
"We are in this for the long haul," she said.
However, some things will change: for one, Woods said she cannot accept prescriptions written by nurses - only those written by nurse-practitioners.
"This will be a little bit different than what the community is used to because of the supply chain and because things may differ from the expectations of community members," she said.
However, the convenience of not having to receive prescriptions by mail will
benefit many residents, she added.
Mayor Sean Whelly joined Dempsey and Woods for the grand opening.
He said the pharmacy is a big step forward for Fort Simpson and will help people to fill their prescriptions in a timely manner.
"When you're sick and go to the hospital, you need medication right away, not three days from now.
"A lot of people with chronic problems will have better service, and having a professional person around like a pharmacist enhances care in this community," he said.
"We've had to go without for so long."
