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The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s is hoping to attract a new pharmacy to Sherbrooke, N.S., with the only drugstore set to permanently close this month.
“I think it’s devastating for the village,” said lifelong Sherbrooke resident Maryann Cameron.
“It’s becoming less attractive for people to move here because the services aren’t going to be here anymore,” she said, noting the particular impact on seniors.
For about a year, the Shoppers Drug Mart has operated out of a temporary location — a trailer parked next to the former pharmacy building in Sherbrooke.
‘Difficult decision’
A statement from parent company Loblaw said the trailer was brought in due to structural issues with the leased building, which remains unfit for a pharmacy.
The spokesperson said other options in the area were looked at, but the company made the “difficult decision” to permanently close the location as of June 11.
When the trailer pulls out, the closest pharmacy will be in Antigonish about 60 kilometres away.
“You’re taking an hour and a half, almost two hours out of your day just to pick up a prescription. And that’s unreasonable,” said James Fuller, warden for the District of St. Mary’s, in an interview.
The municipality is hoping to attract a new pharmacy through an expression of interest.
It is looking for proposals to establish “a sustainable pharmacy presence within the municipality” and that could include purchasing or leasing municipal property. The municipality is also interested in possible interim pharmacy service while a building is constructed or renovated.
Fuller said a former restaurant building now owned by the municipality could be redeveloped, and the location would be convenient to residents.
Interim services
In the meantime, prescription pickup services are expected to be offered at the library.
“There would not be a pharmacist on staff. It’s strictly delivery and I am unsure of the exact dates and times, and that’s something that they will work out and get announced. But it would probably be a couple days a week that there would be prescription services available,” said Fuller.
The local rural transit provider met Thursday with area seniors to discuss possible delivery options.
However, the loss of in-person pharmacy services is a tough pill to swallow.
Fuller, who sees economic opportunity on the horizon such as wind energy development, said essential services are needed to support the community.
“We’re at the threshold and if these companies leave town, that could be a big detriment,” he said.
Fuller said there has been some response to the expression of interest that is set to close this month. The municipal council could make a decision on any proposals as early as July.
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