Niverville is home to a new Red River Co-op Pharmacy. The business, which was first announced early last year, opened its doors for the first time on Monday, May 17. They are located at the Heritage Centre at 103-101 Second Avenue South.
The pharmacy opened without fanfare, according to Kelly Romas, Director of Marketing for Red River Cooperative Ltd—and she says this was done for a reason. Due to the strict COVID-19 restrictions in Manitoba right now, the company opted not to host a grand opening that would encourage people to gather and potentially break current health guidelines.
“But we are open and ready to welcome the community of Niverville!” she says.
The long construction process was also affected by COVID-19. Work began in December 2020 and was anticipated to conclude earlier in the spring. However, although the process went smoothly, there were some delays due to periodic shortages of materials, a common occurrence across all industries during the pandemic.
Romas says this is Red River Co-op’s sixth pharmacy location in Manitoba, and the first in a rural area. The other five locations are found in Winnipeg.
The location of the pharmacy was selected to take advantage of the town’s centralization of health services, with Open Health Niverville—home to the local medical clinic and lab—operating out of an adjoining building. Also, the Niverville Heritage Dental Centre is right next door.
The campus of the Heritage Centre is also home to the Heritage Life Personal Care Home, Niverville Credit Union Manor, and retirement living life lease condominiums. The addition of the pharmacy means that many senior citizens can now pick up their medications and necessities without even having to step outside.
“Our pharmacists do medication reviews, blood pressure checks, flu shots and vaccinations, offer over-the-counter medication advice, opioid replacement therapy, blister packing, and level A compounding,” says Romas. “Inside the Red River Co-op Pharmacy you’ll find all the personal care items you’d expect from a quality pharmacy. We also sell toiletries, infant care items, sunscreen and bug sprays, assorted cards and gift-wrapping and gift cards, and a wide variety of snacks and drinks.”
Customers with existing memberships with the Red River Co-op gas bar will be able to use their number to earn more cash back. Romas also confirms that members can earn equity on the full price of their prescriptions.
“In 2020, Red River Co-op members earned four percent back on the full cost of their prescriptions,” she says. “Whether it be prescriptions, hygiene items, or snacks, Red River Co-op members can use their member number for all purchases made in the pharmacy.”
New customers may bring their prescriptions to the pharmacy for fulfillment at any time.
“Customers who currently have prescriptions through another pharmacy can simply visit our pharmacy team and they will coordinate with your previous pharmacy to transfer prescriptions over,” Romas adds. “It is a very simple process and our team will take care of everything.”
The Niverville pharmacy currently has two pharmacists: pharmacy manager Kaeleigh Bowles, as well as Gilbert Leung. They are actively searching for a pharmacy assistant to join their team in a part-time capacity.
The hours of the new pharmacy are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
