Drugstore in new digs

Some businesses come and go in Sisters, but one long-time fixture, Sisters Drug, has simply moved.

The familiar purveyor of all things pharmaceutical for over 43 years has undergone a few changes in recent years. The Pill Box organization, which owns five other pharmacies including Rice's Pharmacy and Gifts in Corvallis, purchased the Sisters pharmacy in 2008.

As of May 29, the pharmacy moved from its familiar location in the building at the corner of East Cascade Avenue and South Fir Street, formerly known as Sisters Drug & Gift, into a shiny new home in the front of Ray's Food Place. The pharmacy, managed by OSU graduate pharmacist Diane Nauman, has most of the familiar staff: Linda Wheatley, Kim Ankrum, and Marge Crain, with part-time pharmacist Terry O'Callahan helping out.

On the walls in the front of the new space are large sepia reprints of historic Sisters, from the Hindman homestead to old Main Street (now Cascade Avenue). The customer area is convenient, with comfortable chairs and soft lighting. The work area is light and bright with plenty of counter space and rows of shelves for the pharmaceuticals.

A nice addition in the new space is a separate private room for patient drug counseling and immunizations. Nauman can also provide travel vaccinations. Still to be installed is Nauman's historical pharmacy collection of medicine bottles, scales, jars, and remedies which will be displayed on shelves in the customer area.

Out in front of the pharmacy space, Ray's has rearranged their layout to put toiletries and over-the-counter medical supplies next to the pharmacy.

Nauman said the move to Ray's was like coming home. She managed a pharmacy inside Ray's in Albany for seven years. Two years ago, after her younger daughter graduated from high school, she moved to Tumalo and was enjoying semi-retirement, serving as a traveling pharmacist, which included Sisters Drug. She was delighted when the opportunity to manage the new home for Sisters Drug presented itself.

"It is such a unique pharmacy. The staff cares so much about the community and is involved," Nauman said. "Sisters Drug is like the old-time pharmacy where customers are known by name and appreciate the customer service they receive."

The pharmacy, though small in square footage, is big on services - providing specialty pet medications, prescriptions for hospice, special orders, synchronized medications, prescription deliveries, and compounding services - in addition to filling regular prescriptions.

Wheatley added, "We care about our community. We have some great ideas for new stuff."

For those on numerous maintenance prescriptions, four or more drugs can be packaged together in bubble-paks for daily dispensing.

Nauman has plans for the pharmacy to have more community involvement by offering monthly education events in Ray's community meeting room to discuss health news and the findings of new studies.

She cited a recent study that found people who have sufficient Vitamin D intake have a 26 percent decrease in fall risk. She would like to share information with the community that would be helpful in the understanding and management of their health.

A 1992 graduate of Oregon State University's College of Pharmacy, Nauman has two daughters currently attending OSU. Rachel, her oldest, is finishing her second year of the four-year Pharm. D program. Her younger daughter, Lexi, is graduating this month with her Bachelor of Science in Science and starts her Pharm. D program in the fall.

"The pharmacy profession is a family tradition," Nauman said, "and they are third-generation Beavers, as my dad graduated from OSU as well."

The pharmacy hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it is closed on Sundays.