Health notes from
your pharmacists.
Practical, evidence-based health content written by the Argyle Pharmacy team — covering opioid agonist treatment, harm reduction, medications, and life in Port Alberni.
Starting Opioid Agonist Treatment in Port Alberni — What Actually Happens
A plain description of what starting OAT involves in British Columbia — finding a prescriber, the fi…
How to Use a Naloxone Kit — And Why You Should Carry One
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose in minutes. Kits are free in British Columbia, need no prescrip…
Why Weekend Pharmacy Hours Matter When You're on Daily Dosing
For most prescriptions, a pharmacy closing at the weekend is an inconvenience. For daily witnessed d…
Minor Ailment Pharmacist Port Alberni — What Can a Pharmacist Treat?
British Columbia's expanded scope of practice now allows pharmacists to assess and prescribe for com…
What to Look for in a Pharmacy in Port Alberni
Not all pharmacies are the same. From personalized care and pharmacist accessibility to weekend open…
Where to Get a Flu Shot in Port Alberni & the Alberni Valley
Flu shots are available at multiple locations in Port Alberni — but independent pharmacies offer the…
Why a yearly Medication Review is worth the half-hour.
A single 30-minute conversation with your pharmacist can catch drug interactions your doctor may not…
Where to Get a COVID Booster in Port Alberni & the Alberni Valley
COVID-19 remains a circulating respiratory virus in British Columbia and Canada. Updated booster dos…
Generic vs. Brand Name Medications — The Truth From Your Pharmacist
Are generics really the same thing? What does Health Canada actually require? And when does the bran…
How to Safely Dispose of Old Medications in Port Alberni
Flushing old pills down the toilet or tossing them in the trash can harm the Alberni Valley's waterw…
Ozempic and Wegovy in Canada — What Port Alberni Patients Need to Know
Semaglutide medications have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity — but supply s…
Managing Type 2 Diabetes Medications — A Pharmacist's Guide
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 3.7 million Canadians. …
What Is a Medication Review and Who Qualifies in British Columbia?
If you take three or more prescription medications, you are entitled to a free, private medication r…
Blister Packs for Seniors — How They Reduce Missed Doses
Nearly half of seniors don't take their medications correctly. Blister packaging is a simple, proven…
5 Dangerous Medication Combinations Your Pharmacist Can Catch
Adverse drug events — including dangerous medication interactions — are one of the leading causes of…
Shingrix Vaccine Port Alberni — Who Needs It and What Does It Cost?
Shingles affects 1 in 3 Canadians in their lifetime, and the pain can be debilitating. Shingrix is o…
Vitamins and Supplements for Brain Fog — What Actually Works?
The supplement industry is largely unregulated compared to prescription medications. Before spending…
What Causes Brain Fog and Can Your Pharmacist Help?
That frustrating mental cloudiness — trouble concentrating, forgetting words, feeling mentally slow …
How to Quit Smoking in Port Alberni — Champix, NRT, and Pharmacist Support
Quitting smoking is hard — but pharmacists can now prescribe cessation medications in British Columb…
Why You Need a Flu Shot Every Single Year
"I got it last year" — one of the most common reasons people skip their flu shot. Here's why last ye…