What in your opinion is the most needed support for rural pharmacies?
Catherine McCann
Catherine McCann is the owner of Medicine Shoppe #169 in Comox.
"Pharmacists need to get reimbursed in order to stay in business. There are days when I am barely breaking even because of all the cutbacks to private drug insurance reimbursement, in addition to B.C.’s dispensing fees not being increased for a decade. I’m just an independent business.”
Janette Bowering
Janette Bowering is the pharmacy manager of Save-on-Foods Pharmacy #2214 in Grand Forks.
“The demand for our services keeps going up, but our numbers keep dwindling. How do you fight a battle when you have no soldiers left to fight with you and the only ones left feel ‘spent’; and barely have the energy to keep up? I think that if the government believes that health care needs to be prioritized, they need to see that every branch of it plays a vital role to function at its best as a whole.”
Atsushi Sato
Atsushi Sato is the pharmacy manager at London Drugs #61 in Gibsons.
“A comprehensive multidimensional support structure is crucial for attracting and retaining pharmacists in rural areas. This encompasses competitive wages, financial assistance for establishing suitable living condition, and initiatives to alleviate isolation. Maintaining communication with local people outside of work is vital for their wellbeing.”