Since opening Sunrise Pharmacy in 2012, Joelle Mbamy has focused on making her community better. As a certified Safe Harbour location, she offers equitable treatment for all and an immediate safe place for someone experiencing discrimination. Diverse groups rely on Joelle’s pharmacy as a symbol of trust in the neighbourhood. Her practice is tailored to the needs of her community, including being a Naloxone distributor to assist in drug overdoses and becoming certified in foot care to help those in need take better care of their feet.
Joelle’s compassion extends beyond her four pharmacy walls as she volunteers with the Penticton & District Community Resources Society and its Harm Reduction Program, helping individuals access much-needed resources to get them back on their feet. She runs health clinics at the Sikh Temple, attends the annual Senior Centre Health Fair, and is part of the South Okanagan Immigrant Community Services Society.
Sunrise Pharmacy and Harm Reduction
Provides harm reduction supplies and safer sex supplies along with harm reduction education and referrals to health services, additional services, and other social supports. Offers clean needles, sterile water, and alcohol wipes. Opioid users are provided with free Take Home Naloxone Kits(Narcan) that can be used to reverse the effects of overdoses from opioids like heroin, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 8 am to 12 noon Saturdays, and 8 am to 10 am Sundays; on call service at other times.