Media Information / Media Kit

Michael Ortynsky remembers the day when he made the decision to follow in the footsteps of his father and headed north to begin his career in pharmacy. Based in the “energetic city” of Fort St. John, Michael learned to love rural life. So much so that over the past 35 years, he opened pharmacies throughout rural parts of the province – Keremeos, Tumbler Ridge and West Kelowna. 

“…where everyone knows your name,” chimes the song from the television show Cheers. That is exactly what the cozy Pharmasave on Howe Street seems to be saying when you first enter the door. Mona Kwong breaks into a smile every time the door opens, from recognizing a familiar face to greeting a newly arrived tourist. “Our store is like a community hub. People want to come back, even several times a day because it’s so comfortable, like your neighbourhood bar,” Mona says, laughing.

Gary Mui, CPA, CA, joins Association Gary Mui, CPA, CA, joins the BC Pharmacy Association as head of finance and administration. Beginning April 16, Mui will oversee the finance department and human resources for the Association, which represents more than 3,200 community pharmacists and more than 900 community pharmacies in B.C. Mui comes from Loewen Kruse Chartered Professional Accountants, where he is a senior accountant. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration.

The BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) applauds the B.C. Government’s decision to make a clear distinction between non-medical cannabis and medical cannabis by ensuring retailers selling recreational products can’t label their businesses pharmacies.

In an announcement today, Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions stated the province would put life-saving naloxone kits into the hands of people at risk of overdose or likely to witness an overdose at community pharmacies throughout B.C.