The pharmacy at the Queen Charlotte hospital is turning into a retail drug store, with a new pharmacist and a larger space. Pharmacist Daryl Regier said the changeover occurred on Jan. 1, although renovations aren't quite complete yet. Once the renovations are done, in the next few months, islanders will be able to shop at a 300 square foot retail drug store, with prices the same as stores off-island, Mr. Regier said. Items will include cough/cold medications, stomach remedies, and first aid. "Overall, it should be a real benefit," he said. "We'll squeeze as much as we can into 300 square feet." Meanwhile, the pharmacy is open as usual for islanders to pick up prescriptions. Mr. Regier moved here at the beginning of November with his wife Arleigh and three young children, after working in Smithers for five years. Sue Beckermann, health service administrator for Northern Health, said the change is welcome. Northern Health does not normally run pharmacies, although it has been doing so on the islands because they haven't been able to attract any retail outlets until now. Ms Beckermann said there are only two communities in northern BC where Northern Health has been responsible for pharmacy services, the islands being one of them. In Masset, pharmacy service has been supplied for about the past year through Pharmasave in the Vancouver airport. The pharmacist there visits Masset periodically, she said, but for the most part works out of the airport, shipping the prescriptions up by plane three times a week. Northern Health and the two pharmacies are trying to improve drug delivery service to customers in Port Clements. Mr. Regier said Port residents will soon be able to pick up prescriptions at Bayview Market, and Sandspit residents will be able to do so at SuperValu.