For Catherine McCann and Darryl Hunt, owning the in Comox is more than just running a business 鈥� it鈥檚 about being part of a community they love and care for.
Since taking over the pharmacy in 2016, they鈥檝e built on the foundation established by Tim and Susan Cowen, who opened the pharmacy in 2000. With Catherine鈥檚 35 years of experience as a pharmacist and their shared passion for personalized care, The Medicine Shoppe has become a trusted resource for locals seeking both medication and genuine support.
When Catherine and Darryl moved from Alberta to B.C. in 2013, they knew they wanted to make a difference. After initially settling on Salt Spring Island, they found their true home in Comox, just a few blocks from the pharmacy.
鈥淚 feel like we have this really good place here in the community. Once people discover us and the work we do, they usually don鈥檛 leave unless they move away,鈥� Catherine says, noting that living nearby, in the local community lets them maintain personal connections with their patients, many of whom have been coming to the pharmacy for years.
A personal approach to care
At The Medicine Shoppe, Catherine and Darryl focus on long-term relationships and personalized care. Their offerings go beyond the typical pharmacy experience, including home healthcare products, clinical services and health coaching for seniors.
鈥淭he Medicine Shoppe is really a personal place 鈥� we鈥檙e your personal pharmacist,鈥� Catherine says.
They鈥檝e helped countless patients with chronic conditions like and diabetes, optimizing their medications and improving their quality of life, she notes, recalling one man with COPD who, after medication adjustments, excitedly told Catherine, 鈥淚 just walked six blocks!鈥�
Catherine has also witnessed the evolving role of pharmacists firsthand. 鈥淲hen I first started my practice, you had to follow what the prescription was written as. Now, pharmacists can adapt and change prescriptions, helping bridge gaps when needed,鈥� she says.
While B.C. hasn鈥檛 yet granted full prescribing privileges to pharmacists like in Alberta, Catherine is optimistic about the future. 鈥淧harmacists now are true clinicians 鈥� they can do physical assessments and are more than capable of prescribing, even though we don鈥檛 have the full authority yet.鈥�
Catherine and Darryl鈥檚 dedication doesn鈥檛 stop at their pharmacy鈥檚 door. They actively support local organizations like, the, and Through their personal touch, deep expertise and commitment to the community, Catherine and Darryl have made The a true cornerstone of the Comox Valley.
Follow or visit them at. from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.