SHERBROOKE – Ending months of uncertainty following the closure of its only drugstore last June, the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s is formally seeking a developer to establish a long-term pharmacy in the community, with proposals due by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
In an announcement issued May 1, St. Mary’s Chief Administrative Officer Lesley McFarlane said the municipality has launched an expression of interest inviting “qualified developers and development teams interested in supporting a sustainable pharmacy presence within the municipality.”
The process includes two components: the development of a pharmacy and the potential use of municipal property, including land at 8164 Highway 7, which may be made available for purchase subject to council approval and legislative requirements.
“The purpose of this process is to understand what options are available and support a sustainable path forward for pharmacy services in our community,” Warden James Fuller said in the May 1 announcement.
The municipality is not seeking to partner directly with a pharmacy operator, with proponents expected to establish relationships with retailers or service providers as part of any proposal.
Municipal officials said the initiative is aimed at moving beyond temporary measures put in place after the June 2025 closure, which has left residents relying on limited local pickup services and deliveries from outside the area.
“Access to pharmacy services has been identified as an important priority for the community,” the announcement said.
McFarlane said the process is designed to encourage a range of responses, noting that a pharmacy could be developed on municipal land or as part of a private project elsewhere in the community.
Officials said the timeline is intended to allow sufficient time for responses while signalling urgency around restoring reliable access to pharmacy services.
The municipality will review submissions following the June deadline and determine next steps based on their range and viability.
