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Clinton News Record, 2016-01-06, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Renovating for future care Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record Pharmacist Kimberly Baskin and her husband Jose Cabral, a retired den- tist, are busy with renova- tions to expand their busi- ness, K & J Pharmacy in Clinton. Currently they are operating out of the origi- nal retail space at 21 Victo- ria Street while the renova- tions are being done at 23 Victoria Street. On November 1, 2014, Baskin and Cabral pur- chased the former J & J Pharmacy, which had been owned and operated by the late John Alilovic and his wife Judy Alilovic for many years. Two of the employ- ees, Wendy Wild and Lori Peck were retained after the change of ownership. Kelly Semple and Laureen Wheeler have been added to the staff. Baskin explains that the building worked well for a long time, but in the past ten years, and more partic- ularly in the past five years, there have been many changes in the pharmacy industry. Even the comput- ers and equipment have dramatically changed. The most exciting change for Baskin is the expansion of services that pharmacists are now given the opportu- nity to train for to add to existing services. The space requirements to meet these evolving services prompted the current expansion to meet the industry stand- ards and to address client needs, comfort and privacy. When asked what in the building is being reno- vated, Baskin exclaimed, "everything!" There have already been some changes and upgrades in the origi- nal space, the dispensary, which was built approxi- mately 50 years ago by Mr. Newcomb. Although it was still functional when the new owners purchased the building, there are so many things that they would like to add to their services and so many changes to how previous services are administered it was time to renovate to accommodate current and future needs. Baskin worked in a department store phar- macy for several years and found it very restrictive in what she was allowed to do. She is excited about the new possibilities for phar- macy services as the indus- try evolves. Her husband shares her ideal that these new products and services should not just be available in the larger urban centres where it is more difficult for rural residents to access them. He is spearheading the renovations. Both Baskin and Cabrel believe that rural residents should be able to receive the same MAPLEHILL 45 Charles St., Clinton Maplehill is pleased to announce that the new condo rental units will be ready for occupancy by January 30, 2016. A special thank you to Vanden Heuvel Structures Ltd and their sub -trades for a job well done. As of now, we still have 3 rental units of 1100 sq. ft. available. For viewing, please call (519) 482-7564 IID'S HELP PHONE c4) FREE EMERGERY CALL 1-8H-660.68611 'TOLL FREE 4 HOUR'S DAV rR!PAM Y SICK, IN DANCER, tN TROLIRLE Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record Co-owners of K&J Pharmacy, Jose Cabral and his wife Kimberly Baskin, conduct business in the original pharmacy space at 21 Victoria Street in Clinton while renovations are being made to the adjoining space at 23 Victoria Street. They take time out of their busy schedules on December 30 to discuss their plans. level of care from a phar- macy in a rural community as from the larger centres. New technologies and ease of securing products from more distant suppliers make it more feasible to obtain this level of service in smaller centres. Baskin explains that it is already traumatic to go through surgeries and other health care services which require lengthy stays in hos- pitals in urban centres. Patients need to be able to get the products and services they need for quality of life after surgery and mishaps. "We know what it is like to get home after a traumatic stay in hospital and not be able to get what you need without going back to the city." To which Cabrel adds, "The products and services in rural communities should be equivalent to what you find in the city and is it easy enough for us to do this." Baskin interjects that this was the main idea that led to them opening the new store. "We are in a small rural com- munity therefore we need to service clients locally. That means we need to provide the best services and prod- ucts that we can." Baskin asserts that the chance to run their own business also appealed to them. "It is exciting. There are less con- straints than working for someone else. You can make your own direction and use your own creativity in the profession. That is what keeps me here six days per week." "This is also an interesting and exciting time for phar- macists as we can do more now than before," adds Baskin. Pharmacists can now choose to train to administer injections, flu shots, perform full medicinal reviews rather than the basic ones given in the past, blister packs are assembled to assist with organizing medications in proper dosages, there is more global access to products that were once only available in urban centres. There are more possibilities to train to do more pro- grams. "We are proactively looking for new services and products. If we can help peo- ple and make it easier then we will do it." In describing K & J Phar- macy Baskin exclaims, "It is new, fresh, renovated and innovative. We embrace new opportunities. It is not the same year in and year out." Both Baskin and Cabrel emphasize that the changes are to better serve their cli- ents. Cabrel would like cli- ents to walk into the Phar- macy and realize, "Wow, it's for us!" There is a new counseling room for one-on-one con- sultations with clients, including medication reviews. This room will also be used for future flu shot clinics. Eventually a nurse will be coming in for shin- gles vaccine clinics. The dis- pensary will remain as the storefront area for medica- tions and filling prescrip- tions. The added space will enable the offering of more home health care products. In addition there will be a dedicated diabetes coun- seling area for clients to learn more or ask questions about monitors and be trained on how they are to be used. The tentative goal for the Grand Opening of the reno- vated store, dependant on materials being available on time, is in March. Cabral admits there have been some delays in this area, which can be frustrating. Although she admits to being shy by nature, Baskin laughs and says they will be ready to celebrate by then. Raising her hand for emphasis she enthusiastically exclaims, "There will be cake!" K & J Pharmacy is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. -1 p.m.