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Vancouver women's-only pharmacy to be North America's 1st

Last Updated: Monday, July 6, 2009 | 12:27 PM PT

CBC News

UBC's architecture school helped design the new women's-only pharmacy. (CBC)

What is believed to be North America's first women's-only pharmacy is set to open Tuesday in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Caryn Duncan, executive director of Vancouver Women's Health Collective, said a lot of women told her they do not go to pharmacies in the troubled neighbourhood because many of them focus on dispensing methadone to heroin addicts.

"Women felt, 'I want a woman pharmacist. I want to know that when I walk in the door, I'm going to be getting sound women-centred care from a pharmacist. I can talk to her about emergency contraception or a vaginal infection, something that is very personal and intimate,'" said Duncan

The welcoming atmosphere of the new full-service pharmacy was designed in conjunction with the University of British Columbia's school of architecture.

Lu's: A Pharmacy for Women, which will be owned and operated by the Vancouver Women's Health Collective, is named after longtime volunteer Lucette Hansen, 85.

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