Frequently Asked Questions

As a pharmacist, it’s important to constantly look at what product lines and services you are not providing. Consider options like vitamins, supplements, home health care, and so forth. Do you do monthly clinics to assist patients with health problems like diabetes, heart health or weight loss? All of these can be areas of potential growth for your pharmacy.

The time frame required is dependent on whether your project is a renovation or a new build. Generally with a renovation, Building Permits are not required. A renovation may be a simple freshening of the pharmacy with some updated millwork, upgrades to the lighting and repainting. Usually after a planning stage of 2 weeks, it will require 3 to 4 weeks to gather materials and produce fixtures and another week to do the work. In total, a renovation will take an average of 6 to 7 weeks to complete.

New builds are more complex as Permits and Zoning checks may be required. After a planning stage of 2 weeks, Engineered Drawings will be required (another 2 weeks), a permit application must be submitted (with a minimum processing time of 21 Business Days) and, again dependent on the extent of the leasehold work, this could be another 4 to 6 weeks. This makes the average new build take between 11 to 13 weeks.

It is difficult to answer this question without first going through the Planning Stage, as the cost of a new pharmacy will vary greatly depending on the specific features selected by the owner. If costs are required for a Business Plan, we can often use previous projects as example, but with the understanding that these are just examples.

See previous questions. If this is a question that you want answered, then ask yourself: why are you in such a hurry? Have you dragged your heels and now you want everyone to jump? If so, then it is time to make a commitment.

Building permits are required under the Ontario Building Code. In addition, the safety of your facility is paramount, both structurally and electrically. To ensure everyone can leave safely in an emergency situation, you need to hire the right engineer and contractor. This is not the place to cut corners.

Again, handicap washrooms are Ontario Building Code requirements. So are barrier-free doors, passageways, door swings and washrooms. This is not your choice—it’s just a necessity.