Source: Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia

A pharmacy in Port Hawkesbury has officially opened its new primary care clinic.

Michael Hatt is the owner and operator of The Medicine Shoppe on Reeves Street. It is one of 14 new pharmacies offering primary care treatments under the province’s pilot program.

The expansion of the program was announced last month, after 12 pharmacies across the province had excellent results in the first phase of the program.

Hatt is excited about the expansion of the program and says it helps meet the needs of an underserved region of Nova Scotia.

“Phase one didn’t have any locations between New Glasgow and Sydney. So, we’re really happy to be offering a service covering that area in between,” said Hatt.

He believes that the program is a good way to bridge the gap, while the province searches for ways to address the issue of many Nova Scotians not having a family doctor.

“We have 1000 plus pharmacists at our disposal that could certainly help with the strain on the healthcare system. And we’ll do our will help unclog the ERs and we’ll help unclog the doctor’s offices, but we certainly aren’t a replacement for those,” said Hatt. “We’re going to ease the strain and hopefully our healthcare system could bring in more [medical practitioners] and physicians to get back on track.”

Pharmacies that are part of the program can now offer treatments and prescribe medicine for patients with common illnesses or chronic diseases such as diabetes.