Rexall recently opened its significantly expanded pharmacy at 325 Moore Avenue in Moore Park in Toronto, adding more clinical space and on-site services that give residents additional same day options for common health needs.
The company said independent research shows a growing primary care gap in Toronto, with more than 500,000 residents already without a family doctor and projections approaching one million by 2026. Pharmacies are taking on a larger role in same day care as patients look for timely assessment and treatment, added Rexall.
What is new at this site:
- Minor illness assessment and prescribing for common conditions, supported by expanded consultation space
- Medication management for people with complex prescriptions
- Seasonal and routine vaccinations with increased capacity
- A larger, modernized pharmacy footprint designed to improve flow and reduce wait times
These services are provided at the Moore Avenue pharmacy, with the expanded layout designed to make them easier to access.
Heidi Wittke, VP of Pharmacy, said Moore Park really reflects Rexall’s focus on supporting the community.
“We often look at where we’re going to place our pharmacies, both from a pharmacist-led clinic perspective, and there’s a lot of thought that goes into that. We definitely saw a need to be able to provide access to trusted healthcare providers and additional clinical services at a pharmacy level,” she said.
“It reflects our commitment to modernize the store, expand access to our pharmacist-led clinics and services, while investing in those neighborhoods where trusted health support is really needed most.”
With the expanded scope of practice for pharmacists and them being able to work within the education they’ve gone to school for, there are more opportunities now for delivery of care, especially through minor ailments assessment for common conditions.
“We’re certainly seeing opportunity now for pharmacists to help really bridge that gap in the healthcare system and then really work within it in an integrated, collaborative care model, working closely with physicians and prescribers as well to meet that demand,” explained Wittke.
“We definitely want to make sure, first and foremost, that patient comfort and privacy is our number one priority. So we do create a space that feels welcoming, where they can have those conversations with our pharmacists.
“Oftentimes, too, you might see some equipment that you would see in some primary care physicians’ offices. You might see things like a blood pressure machine. You might see things like body composition tools that help to assess and provide additional information and clinical results for patients as well.
“You may also see other tools to be able to provide some of those clinical services and assessments, especially around minor ailments and conditions. It’s also a place where we provide a lot of vaccinations. Patients come to us for travel consults as well.
“We’ve really tried to curate that space to meet the needs of the patients and, again, support that expanded scope of practice for our pharmacists.”
Currently, Rexall has just under 400 locations and operates 22 pharmacist-led clinics.
“We’re really thoughtful about where we expand. Our grand reopening in Moore Park really reflects that broader strategy — to elevate the pharmacy experience, expand those clinical services, and really modernize the way we show up in communities across Canada to better support that expanded scope of practice that our pharmacists do have,” said Wittke.
“So we’re really looking at that as an example . . . more modern, more service-focused, and more aligned with what Canadians need, really supporting Canada’s health one person at a time.”
Wittke said there’s opportunity for that integrated care model with pharmacists and prescribers.
“We see that there is a healthcare gap. In Ontario specifically, we know 2.4 million Ontarians are without access to family doctors,” she said.
“So having a reopening like that helps to improve access to convenient, high-quality healthcare for patients living and working in those communities. Certainly, I think there’s opportunity for expansion.
“We’re very thoughtful in where we do expand, and again, that reopening in Moore Park reflects that broader strategy for us.”
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