Yurek Pharmacy St Thomas

03/06/2026

Here is one of our long-time customers, Mrs. Beverly Dolphin with her new Yurek Round Pearls Hot/Cold pack. Next time she comes in, Lori will sure be asking for her review. Stay tuned.

03/05/2026

Rx Stories: Diane Alavie

I was encouraged at a young age to become a pharmacist and have been licensed for 38 years. My father, Ed Yurek, was a pharmacist and I worked in this store from a young age. On Sundays, when the store was closed, my younger brother and I would stock the chocolates and gum while our father did other things. The best part was getting paid which included a game of miniature golf and ice cream.

When I started as a pharmacist there were no computers; they came in shortly after I graduated. In fact, Yurek was one of the first stores in Ontario to computerize.

My profession has evolved over the years; we are much more clinically focused than 30 years ago. I really enjoy helping our clients with their medication issues.

03/04/2026

Healthy Officers, Safer Communities

As average citizens we should care about The Wellness Navigation Project in St. Thomas published in City Scope This is not just a local police story, it’s about public safety, community well-being, and how we treat trauma and stress in those who protect us.

Police officers and first responders are exposed to ongoing trauma, and many struggle silently with mental health issues at rates higher than the general population. When those who respond to crises can’t access or normalize support, it affects not just them but the quality of service we receive from response times to de-escalation and interactions during emergencies.

This project aims to shift culture in law enforcement so mental healthcare is accessible, destigmatized, and integrated into everyday work life, ultimately making communities safer and services more effective.

Thank you, Ian McCallum for reminding us that better-supported officers are more resilient, safer, and better able to protect and serve.

03/03/2026

03/02/2026

St. Thomas is turning 145 and we’re all invited to the birthday party on Wednesday, March 4 at Joe Thornton Community Centre to celebrate community, history and hometown pride.

FREE public skating from 5:45–6:35 p.m. followed by activities, music and food while supplies last and plenty of birthday fun.

At 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Stars hit the ice with a special puck drop by Mayor Joe Preston. The first 200 fans get in FREE.

Bring your friends, bring your family and let’s celebrate 145 amazing years of St. Thomas!

03/01/2026

When did we have our worst winter?

- Winter of 1970-71 for severe, record-setting snowfalls?
- The "White Death" Blizzard (Jan 28, 1977)?
- The massive ice storm of January 1998?
- Winter of 2025-2026 driven by a strong La Niña and a disrupted polar vortex, bringing colder-than-normal temperatures, frequent, heavy snow?

Photograph: Courtesy Steven Anderson

02/28/2026

Beyond Hot Flashes: Caring for Your Mental Health Through Menopause
By Diane Alavie, BSc.Phm.

When you hear menopause, what comes to mind? Besides the physical changes to a woman’s body, menopause also brings about hormonal changes. During menopause, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and decrease. As a result, lower estrogen and progesterone levels can lead to anxiety and depression.

Read more: https://yurekpharmacy.com/beyond-hot-flashes-caring-for-your-mental-health-through-menopause/

02/27/2026

Thank you St. Thomas Public Library for offering to let us use one of your study rooms to hold a meeting while our offices are being renovated after the damages caused by the fire next door.

Discover all the perks waiting for you at the St. Thomas Public Library! From free access to books, movies, and digital resources to creative programs for all ages, it’s the perfect place to learn, connect, and explore. Your next great idea might just start here.

02/26/2026

Rx Stories: Steve Bond

I became a pharmacist out of spite. I wanted to be in the medical field, and when I was looking at pharmacy my guidance counselor cautioned me as it was a tough to get into and a challenging program. That made me want to do it even more — to spite him!

I became a pharmacist in 1995. Then, I enrolled in a post graduate residency at Victoria hospital. It paid me a measly $8,300 for the year, so I worked at Yurek on weekends to pay my rent. That was my first time working in retail.

The role of the pharmacist has expanded. We can now prescribe for certain conditions and provide a huge number of injections to patients. Our relationship with doctors has also changed. While family doctors are still the primary leader in healthcare, we work more in collaboration and need to know about disease and general health promotion more than ever before. One thing has remained constant; we are still a great source for drug information. Medications have become more complex.

The most rewarding part of my job is when I find a unique solution that solves a problem for a patient or their doctor. It's the kind of thing most patients know nothing about, and it happens behind the scenes.

02/25/2026

Trust Your Gut: The Science Behind That Good Feeling
By Peter Yurek, BSc. Phm.

My Dad used to say, “trust your gut”. Essentially, he meant that we should trust our instincts when making important decisions. Normally we associate decision-making with our brains, not our stomach. However, did you know that our brains and stomachs actually do communicate with each other?

Read more: https://yurekpharmacy.com/trust-your-gut-the-science-behind-that-good-feeling/

02/24/2026

It’s Pharmacy Appreciation Month! Here’s a fun fact about our profession!

Canadian pharmacist John J. McLaughlin invented Canada Dry. Initially, he combined his pharmacy and soda-making background to create ginger ale. However, after the market became saturated with syrupy-sweet ginger ales, he created a lighter and “dry” version, which is how we get the beloved Canadian drink we know today.

02/23/2026

*** Sale Alert ***

Round Pearls Hot/Cold Packs $4.99
Great for having around the house, in your first aid kit or with your workout gear.