Singling out seniors, MediSystems Pharmacy has arrived in Thunder Bay after its 23rd year in business.
The company, a division of Shoppers Drug Mart, has set up shop on Alloy Drive, servicing long-term care facilities and assisted living homes.
“We dispense (medications) with a special packaging to make sure our seniors never miss a dose and also that they get the right medication at the right time,” said Helen Huh, the company president.
“So not only do we do the dispensing, we also provide clinical service, where our clinical pharmacist will go to the nursing home or the group home or the retirement home and partner with the doctors and the nurses so that we provide a complete health care service … for our residents.”
In keeping with company policy, the pharmacy is not open to the general public.
First started in 1988, the company has seven locations in Ontario. Huh said she expects to have about seven employees when hiring is complete, including three regular and one clinical pharmacist on staff.
“We specialize in seniors. There are a lot of pharmacies out there that do retail. People can walk in and buy purchases, vitamins and cosmetics. That’s all great. We’re part of Shoppers Drug Mart, so we’re part of a big pharmacy company that offers retail shopping.
“For us, being part of the long-term care tradition for Shoppers Drug Mart, all we do is focus on seniors. Our pharmacy is not a walk-in pharmacy. We don’t have a cash register in the building and all we focus on are the clinical and senior pharmaceutical needs.”