Smoky Lake Pharmachoice celebrates five years in the community with a barbecue

By Irene van der Kloet

The older people get, the more care they need. Older adults often move into a smaller home and eventually into a seniors’ lodge where they can get the care they need. In that aging process, the level of care depends on several factors such as overall health, the senior’s preference, and available care. It is here that Smoky Lake Pharmachoice comes into the picture. Smoky Lake Pharmachoice has been in Smoky Lake for exactly five years. The owners, Rashida and Mohammed Yamani, already owned a pharmacy in Vilna when they saw the need for opening a pharmacy in Smoky Lake. This family-run business is not a “normal” pharmacy: they focus on elderly care to keep the seniors in their homes for as long as possible. They sell equipment such as special stockings, toilet seats and other home healthcare equipment, which sets them apart from the other pharmacy in Smoky Lake.

“We want to be very accessible to people. It was a bit hard to start up as people did not know us, and we needed to build up that rapport with people, but now we are very busy,” Rashida explains. “Sometimes, our son comes in to help us.” During this interview, a regular client interjects: “Rashida does wonderfully. She is very customer friendly, knows everything and is very helpful” the client smiles. Another service the pharmacy provides is advice on the treatment of diabetes, as Rashida is also a certified diabetes educator. To celebrate the connection with the community, Smoky Lake Pharmachoice held a community barbecue on May 28. It was an excellent day for a barbecue with full sunshine and a nice breeze, and the picnic tables were constantly filling up. Mohammed was flipping burgers, and their son was helping out restocking water and cupcakes. Anyone purchasing an item this day got 10% off, and everyone who walked into the store could enter into a draw for either a hat or a mug. With this celebration, Rashida and Mohammed want to give back to the community that supports them. Smoky Lake Pharmachoice is located on White Earth Street in Smoky Lake.