FAQs

Covid-19:

Covid-19 changed the lives of all of us. For Northgate Pharmacy it means limiting the number of patients that we can have in the pharmacy to two people. This allows for safer social distancing. services that require us to breach the 2 metre barrier have been extremely limited due to difficulties in obtaining adequate PPE. In the fall of 2020 we will be offering clinics to deliver vaccination services such as shingles, twinrix and other vaccines. Flu shots will begin in mid to late October and will be administered BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The number of flu shots we can accommodate is determined by the Ministry of Health's allocation of vaccine.

Switching prescriptions:
Switching prescriptions to Northgate Pharmacy is easy. Most medication refills can be transferred simply by calling us at Northgate Pharmacy. We will collect a few bits of personal information and then we will take care of contacting your previous pharmacy to facilitate the transfer. Please note that some medications cannot be transferred by law, please ask for details.

Do we deliver?
Yes, Northgate Pharmacy delivers within Sarnia, Point Edward and most out-lying areas. There is no additional cost for this service.

How long will I have to wait?
Most prescriptions can be filled within 15minutes. Some prescriptions, however will take longer such as in the case of special orders for rare medications or in the cases where we may need to intervene on or clarify information with your prescriber. At all times we endeavour to provide a clear and reasonable estimate of the time that we will need to attend to your needs.

What is the difference between name brand and generic?
A "brand name" medication is one produced and marketed by the company that in most cases developed that medication and brought it to market. These companies are given a set time limit on their patents and after that time lapses, generic manufacturers will produce versions that are less costly. In most cases the generic version is equally effective. Canada has a very robust and safe drug supply chain and generic medications are considered to be very safe. There are some few instances where a brand name medication may be better for you but we will always be available to discuss your options with you.

Do Prescription drugs expire?
Prescription drugs do indeed expire, we document the expiry of your drugs in our system at the time of dispensing and can recall that information at your request. Different medications have differing shelf lives, please check with us if you are not sure whether your medications will be safe to use. Disposing of medications is best done by emptying the pills or capsules into a paper bag (we can supply) and returning them to the pharmacy for safe destruction. Don't forget to remove your name from the bottles first!

How should I store medications?
By and large most prescription medications should be stored at room temperature (average 23C or 73F). Some medications require refrigeration but you will be advised of these. Medications generally do not do well with high humidity so the bathroom or near the stove is actually NOT the optimal location.

What are your hours?
Mon-Fri 9-7
Sat 9-1