SHERBROOKE – St. Mary’s and Area Rural Transit (SMART-GO) is offering a prescription pickup and delivery service as residents prepare for the closure of the community’s only pharmacy.
The service will provide prescription pickup from Antigonish-area pharmacies for a flat fee of $5 per person. Residents will still have to pay for their prescriptions separately. Those who need to speak personally with a pharmacist can book a return trip for $20.
The new option was announced following a public meeting hosted by SMART-GO at Maple Manor on May 28, where residents discussed concerns about access to medications once the local Shoppers Drug Mart closes.
The pharmacy chain announced May 18 that it would close its Sherbrooke location effective June 11. A week later, the Atlantic Superstore pharmacy in Antigonish announced on social media that it would begin offering weekly prescription delivery service to Sherbrooke starting the week of June 22 – 11 days after the local pharmacy closes. Loblaw Companies Ltd. owns both Shoppers Drug Mart and Atlantic Superstore.
Unlike the Atlantic Superstore delivery program, which is tied to prescriptions filled through its pharmacy, SMART-GO says it will pick up prescriptions from any pharmacy in Antigonish and can also transport residents who need to speak with a pharmacist in person.
The pending loss of the pharmacy has created concern throughout the district, particularly among seniors, who make up a large portion of the area’s population and often rely on local access to prescription services.
In an interview following the meeting, organizers of SMART-GO told The Journal they will be offering the new option for those who are interested.
“Starting immediately, the transit service will pick up prescriptions for a charge of five dollars per person,” said SMART-GO Executive Director Heather Kreffer, adding that if a person has to go into the pharmacy and speak with a pharmacist in person – for just a quick trip and back – the fee will be $20.
As part of the community, Kreffer said SMART-GO wants to do whatever they can to help people through what may be a major transition for many who have relied on the local pharmacy for years.
“We listened and we heard,” said Kreffer, “and we are ready to go at any time. We are just working out the logistics.”
Although the hope is that eventually there will be a schedule, “for now, if we have trips into Antigonish anyway, we will pick the prescriptions up almost any day really,” she said, adding if necessary, “we will go just for the prescriptions if need be – we are not going to put a minimum on it.”
As SMART-GO has drivers travelling to Antigonish most days throughout the week, “it could be five days, or it could be two,” depending on the needs of clients, Kreffer said. “We just need people to use it, so we can eventually get a regular schedule worked out.”
“If we have to stop at Shoppers Drug Mart, Superstore, Lawtons, or at any other pharmacy, we will do that,” Kreffer said. “We will pick up from where it is needed.”
Approximately 12 people attended the meeting, sharing their concerns and suggestions, including seniors June Tate and Alice Mailman, who spoke to The Journal afterwards.
“I thought the meeting was good,” said Tate, noting she has monthly prescriptions that she needs to access.“
“And I am getting rid of my vehicle very soon,” she added. “There are just too many costs, it’s too expensive and I am just not doing it.”
However, she said she is not ready to give up her independence. “Medications aside, I still want to be able to do things on my own and to be independent. And that is what SMART-GO does for me.”
Mailman also expressed appreciation for the services SMART-GO provides and said she is especially glad to hear about the addition of medication delivery services for people who might otherwise face difficulties accessing prescriptions once the pharmacy closes.
“I think the meeting was very informative,” said Mailman. “SMART-GO is offering a service that is very important.”
Said Kreffer: “Our hope is that we can help serve this community, and help keep as many people as independent as possible. We are trying to spread the word that we are here for everybody – not just those in a wheelchair, or for seniors – we are here for every resident of St. Mary’s and for visitors. We really want people to use our service because we really want to be here.”
For more about the prescription delivery option, transit service, or to book a ride, contact the SMART-GO office at 902-522-2000.
