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Meet Prince Albert’s newest and friendliest pharmacist

Aug 1, 2016 | 8:45 AM

A new level of pharmaceutical care has come to Prince Albert.

Hammond’s Pharmacy, recently opened by Dr. Yogi Hammond, goes above and beyond the typical pharmacy experience, which is based around dispensing medicine rather than determining which medicine is best.

Yogi says her pharmacy is all about a comprehensive patient care plan, including diagnosis and dispensing.

“There’s a shortage of doctors these days,” she says, “and sometimes that means the patient care suffers. Patients may not receive the care they require. It’s no fault of the doctor, but there’s only so many hours in a day.”

Hammond’s Pharmacy fills any gaps in health care, so Prince Albert’s population can feel safe knowing they’ve received the best possible medical care.

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“I like being able to understand a patient,” she says. “Behind every prescription is a person, and knowing that person leads to better pharmaceutical care.”

Yogi has more than 20 years of experience as a pharmacist, beginning her journey towards providing compassionate service in South Africa.

She completed her pharmacy training in 1993 and worked in a community health centre/day hospital until 1999. From there she owned her own retail community pharmacy, which she said contributes to her desire to help patients with their ailments, rather than simply dispense medicine.

Between 1,000 and 2,000 patients would come through her doors a day in South Africa at the various pharmacies she worked at. It was in the long waiting lines where she got to know the people she was serving.

“Just by talking with them, and giving them that extra bit of time to talk, you can pick up a lot about a patient,” she says.

In 2008 she accompanied her husband Dr. Cecil Hammond to Saskatchewan, where she practiced for five years and went on to manage and co-own various pharmacies around town.

From 2013 to 2015 she completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Colorado, where she was top of her class and graduated in the shortest time to become what’s known as a PharmD. She was also inducted into the Rho Chi Honor Society, a prestigious academic society reflecting her hard worth ethic and incredible talent.

“Not too bad for an old person,” she says with a subtle smile. She’s one of only a handful of PharmD’s in the province, and the only one in Prince Albert.

As the only PharmD in the city, Yogi is able to assist other doctors and physicians, boosting their level of care and making sure every patient receives the treatment and respect they deserve.  

She is a certified diabetic educator and can assist Prince Albert’s more overweight and at-risk population with their medications and lifestyle.

Her passion for diabetic treatment comes from her family’s lengthy history with the disease. She’s seen how damaging it can be and doesn’t want others to experience the pain diabetes can cause.

She is also well-trained in treating chronic diseases, HIV and other infectious diseases.

The question she’s most often asked is “why have your pharmacy downtown?” She says Prince Albert’s downtown core reminds her the most of home (though it’s much more quiet) and it’s where she can do the most good.

With the numerous other pharmacies and doctors in the area, she says the goal is to turn the south end of downtown into a nexus for health care, where patients can have all of their needs treated without having to travel across town to do so.

“There’s nothing we can’t handle,” she says.

To receive the best pharmaceutical service you’ve ever had, visit Hammond’s Pharmacy in downtown Prince Albert at 1310 Central Ave. or call (306) 922-4446 for fantastic community care and new insights into whatever ails you. 

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