We have (finally) started to receive some items in high demand .. Hooray! 

• Hand Sanitizer Gel 8oz (236ml) $7 ea 
• Medical Face Masks $5 for 5pk 
• Reusable Face Masks $15 for 3pk ** sold out now but more coming soon 
• Reusable Plastic Face Shield $5 ea 
• Digital Thermometers 60sec $5 ea 

.. in store shopping only while supplies last, please limit quantities so every one can get what they need! thanks 

Please note: We will be closed all day Monday 18 May 2020 for the Victoria Day holiday. Regular store hours will resume on Tuesday 19 May 2020. For after hours or emergency service please contact Dano at 403-330-4785 ..

We are now open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm as before but now closed from 1-2pm for lunch and sanitizing. 

If you are feeling sick or should be self-isolating please do not come into the pharmacy. You can call us from your car or home at 403-758-3001 and we can come serve you there. 

Thank you!

FYI in March 2020 the government started requiring pharmacists to limit a patient's supply of prescription drugs to a 30 day fill, due to possible shortages during the COVID-19 outbreak. 
​https://www.pharmacists.ca/news-events/news/statement-on-30-day-supply-of-prescription-medications 

Please note that some high demand items are now on 'limited quantity' for purchases: Gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, toilet paper rolls when available are limited to 1 package per family please.

We anticipate this will just be temporary measures until the supply chain normalizes. Thank you for your understanding

We get this question from time to time. Why did you bill us twice for this month? It happens because of arcane mathematics: Our pill pack customers get billed monthly (12 times per year) BUT the pills they get are filled in 28 day packs (13  times per year), SO once per year they pay double their expected monthly amount (assuming no change to their medications or coverage). We understand that this is disconcerting and somewhat confusing to anyone on a fixed income or budget. Let us try to explain the math:

Fact: Each year is 365 days long. There are 12 months in a year. Pill packs are filled for 4 x 7 = 28 days. 28 x 13 is 364. So each year 13 pill packs are filled but only 12 monthly statements sent, so in one of those months each year you will get a double portion to make up for the extra pill pack (13 packs vs 12 times per year).

We hope this explanation helps you understand the financial situation. If you currently pay a certain amount for each pill pack, say $50 for each, be aware that each month you are only being billed 1/13th of the annual amount not 1/12th. Or another way to think of it, 11 out of 12 months you are only being billed for 1/13th of the expected annual amount or about 10% less than the actual average monthly amount. One of those months will be 2/13th of the expected annual amount. In the case above, paying $54.17/mo would pay the 13 packs off in the year: i.e.13x$50=$650 and $54.17x12=$650.04

Also, every 28 years you technically would get an extra charge to make up for another pill pack .. the extra day ((365- 364) x 28 times) .. but I doubt you will notice ..

Further confusions:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Fixed_Calendar The International Fixed Calendar or the Equal Month calendar  is a solar calendar proposal for calendar reform designed by Moses B. Cotsworth (1902). It divides the solar year into 13 months of 28 days each.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_reform Historical calendar reform tidbits: eg 46 BC was 445 days long under Julius Ceaser.
• My own proposal for a metric year of 10 months per year is unlikely to get much interest ..

Hypothermia and frostbite are preventable. Be prepared for outdoor conditions by dressing warmly, covering exposed skin, and not letting the bright sun fool you in the winter. If the temperature is below freezing (0°C), consider yourself at risk and take the proper precautions.
​
https://pharmasave.com/health/diseases/hypothermia-and-frostbite/

Hypothermia occurs when you have abnormally low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 37°C (98.6°F), as measured by mouth. Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 35°C (95°F). Young babies (because they have a greater surface area to body weight ratio) and seniors are the most vulnerable to developing hypothermia.

Frostbite happens when a part of the body actually freezes. Mild frostbite doesn't leave lasting damage, but severe frostbite does cause permanent damage and may even require amputation of a body part.

Be careful out there!

Earlier this month an extreme Cold Warning was issued for our area: "A multi-day episode of very cold wind chills continues. The coldest wind chill values will be near minus 45C. Extreme wind chill values are expected to become more widespread again tonight and into the weekend. Temperatures are expected to moderate closer to seasonal normals toward the end of the month.

• Extreme cold puts everyone at risk.
• Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.
• If it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet to stay outside.
  ​

https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ab7#52754116982073480202001100501ww1575cwwg

 ​https://pharmasave.com/health-topics/medication-on-vacation/ 

First of all, to make sure you stay healthy when you take a trip, don’t leave your medications at home!
Keep these tips in mind for managing your medications on the road:

• Before your trip, review your dosage schedules with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you’ll be crossing time zones – you may have to take your medications at different times. For example, if you have diabetes and need to use insulin while travelling eastward across 5 or more time zones, you may require less intermediate or long-acting insulin.
• If you are travelling to another country, visit www.travelhealth.gc.ca to see if you need special protection against disease in the country you are visiting.
• Some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun and heat – check labels for warnings, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may need to cover up or use stronger sunscreen.
• Store medications away from direct sunlight or high heat. A beach bag or your car’s trunk or glove compartment aren’t good places to keep medications. For example, insulin can be kept up to 30 days at room temperature, but degrades at higher temperatures.
• Don’t put your medications in checked luggage. Keep them with you and bring enough to last the whole trip; when you go on an outing, carry along a day’s supply.
• You should pack essential medication in 2 different pieces of hand luggage, just in case one becomes lost or stolen. This way you will have back-up and not be left without your important medication while abroad.
• Keep with you a list of all the medications you take (include the names, dosages, directions), your doctors’ phone numbers, and your health insurance information.
• To avoid problems with customs, carry a note from your health care provider describing the types of medications you are using, a copy of your prescriptions, and clear labels on all your medications that identify your full name (as on your passport), pharmacy name, and the name and dose of the medication. The same applies should you have to carry needles or pre-loaded syringes.
• Put together a travel first aid kit containing over-the-counter and prescription medications you may need if you become ill or are injured. Some medications you may want to include are:
  • antihistamines in case you have a mild allergic reaction
  • a painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • medications for motion sickness and nausea
  • medications for diarrhea
  • anti-infective ear drops for swimmer’s ear (bacterial infection in the ear)
  • an antibacterial cream for cuts, insect bites, and burns
  • a course of antibiotics that is prescribed by your doctor

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which specific medications may best suit your needs, depending on your medical history and travel destination.

Congratulations to our Home Town Christmas Gift Basket winner Mrs C West drawn Thu 5 Dec 2019! 

[Don't worry - he will return in 2 years] .. many of you have met our co-worker and Dano's son Slade working here at the Magrath Pharmacy or delivering to your homes. He is on his way to the Kenya Nairobi Mission for two years so you won't see him here for a while. We wish him all the best in his travels .. to the heat of Africa .. and speaking Zwahli .. eh. ​https://www.facebook.com/danojody