VANCOUVER – The College of Pharmacists of BC has ordered the closure of Native Vancouver Pharmacy at 50 E. Hastings St. after an inspection revealed serious sanitation, structural, and patient health concerns at the site. The College believes this poses a serious public and patient health risk and has ordered a suspension of this pharmacy licence effective June 12, 2015.
During its inspection, the College documented a large number of deficiencies including:
- Fecal matter from mice and rats on the floor as well as other surfaces
- Mould found on the floors, walls, and food containers inside the dispensary
- Cockroach bait traps and mouse traps in various locations in the dispensary
- No hot running water
- Food, sugar, and coffee left open in the dispensary accessible to rodents
- Lighting too dim to practice pharmacy effectively
- Potential structural issues with the interior improvements to the building
- A general environment that was dirty, dilapidated, disorganized and not appropriate for patient care
“I am appalled,” said Anar Dossa, Chair of the College Board. “As a profession, we are dedicated to quality patient care. I want to assure members of the public that patient health is our top priority. We are taking this extraordinary action in order to protect the public health.”
The College is providing a two week period before the suspension to allow patients time to transition to new pharmacies and obtain new prescriptions from their physician. The College will actively monitor the pharmacy during this transition period.
Despite its name, the Native Vancouver Pharmacy has no association with either the First Nations Health Authority or Vancouver Native Health Services, located nearby.
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Media Contact
Mykle Ludvigsen, Director of Public Accountability and Engagement
604.676.4204
[email protected]
