---
title: Customer Stories | MedEssist
description: Discover how Cory, a BC RPh, enhances patient care and efficiency at Columbia Street Pharmacy through new services and innovative solutions like MedEssist.
---

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# "You can't put a price on efficiency": How a BC pharmacist is navigating constant changes to his scope of practice

![Cory Proctor](https://info.medessist.com/hubfs/unbounce%20migration/columbia_street_pharmacy/Cory%20Proctor.png)

Cory Proctor, Pharmacist

Columbia Street Pharmacy — Kamloops, BC

![Cory at Columbia Street Pharmacy](https://info.medessist.com/hubfs/unbounce%20migration/columbia_street_pharmacy/Cory%20at%20Columbia%20Street%20Pharmacy.png)

## Columbia Street Pharmacy

With over 20 years of experience as a practicing pharmacist, Cory has worked in a wide range of environments. He's spent time in big chain retail pharmacies, in clinical environments, supported staff shortages as a relief pharmacist, and worked in corporate pharmacy with the British Columbia (BC) health authority. Through these experiences, Cory eventually realized that his heart lay in community pharmacy.

Inspired by his wife, Cory established roots in Kamloops and founded Columbia Street Pharmacy. Here, he blends best practices learned over the years, creating a space that prioritizes not just prescriptions, but also personalized care and meaningful patient connections.

Today, Columbia Street Pharmacy is a trusted part of the Kamloops community, driven by Cory's commitment to patient-focused care.

## Cory's Practice

Columbia Street Pharmacy attracts a diverse clientele, from university students to elderly residents and patients recently discharged from the nearby hospital. Cory’s focus on patient engagement is unwavering, as he believes in turning every visitor into a lifelong customer.

> "Out of the prescriptions we see, 70% can turn into repeat business. That’s what’s important." Cory explains.

However, for Cory, repeat business isn’t just about prescription refills. His pharmacy offers a wide array of services, including over 30 types of vaccines and injections. Cory also compounds medications and provides consultations for smoking cessation, diabetes management, birth control, travel health, and more.

> "Everything we can do, we do." Cory says with pride. "My role isn't just about dispensing medications anymore. It’s about providing comprehensive clinical services."

When prescribing for 21 minor conditions became part of BC pharmacists scope of practice in spring 2023, it’s no surprise that Cory embraced this change.

Some viewed this expansion of practice with skepticism, concerned about the overlap with primary care providers and the potential strain it could place on their already limited time.

Cory however, viewed this expansion as an opportunity to play a bigger role in his patients health journey.

> “We've been given these expanded scope of practices because of the primary care crisis. A large population of people out there don't have easy access to healthcare.”

Over a year later, Cory has completed over 400 minor ailment assessments, keeping over 400 patients out of the overburdened local clinics and emergency rooms.

> "In many ways, we're the walk-in clinic or primary care provider in our community." Cory remarks.

## The Challenge of Change

The significant changes to Cory’s scope of practice prompted him to seek out a system to enhance efficiency. Like many independent pharmacies, Columbia Street faces staffing challenges - they’re currently operating two to three people short.

The evolving role of pharmacists has introduced the need for a shift away from the traditional, non-appointment-based model. Effectively balancing dispensing duties with clinical services now requires a greater level of control over their schedule. MedEssist has given Cory this control, enabling him to navigate these new challenges with ease.

While some pharmacists may hesitate to ask patients to pre-complete forms or book appointments online for consultations and injections, a user-friendly and intuitive system makes all the difference in influencing patient behavior.

Cory notes that despite initial skepticism, patients quickly adapt to the process.

## Why MedEssist

Having worked as a relief pharmacist in the past, Cory was familiar with many of the softwares that are available to pharmacists, however found that each offered fragmented capabilities.

MedEssist caught Cory’s attention with its ability to streamline his workflow, particularly through features like sending assessment forms directly to patients' cell phones. This allows patients to complete necessary documentation independently, freeing up much of Cory’s time.

Once adopted, it quickly became clear that MedEssist was not just a tool for managing minor ailments but an indispensable system for overseeing his entire practice.

With the BC government's numerous vaccine initiatives, injections are a frequent service at Columbia Street Pharmacy. Previously, managing these services with paper forms proved to be inefficient and time-consuming. MedEssist changed that, enabling Cory to seamlessly schedule, reschedule, send out intake forms, autofill repetitive fields, and ensure nothing is missed, thanks to automated confirmations and reminders sent to patients.

> “MedEssist is for efficiency. Efficiency in documentation, efficiency in communicating with patients and primary care providers, and efficiency by taking 30 minute consultations down to 5 minutes.”

![MedEssist Interface Screenshot 1](https://info.medessist.com/hubfs/unbounce%20migration/columbia_street_pharmacy/MedEssist%20Interface%20Screenshot%201.png) ![MedEssist Interface Screenshot 2](https://info.medessist.com/hubfs/unbounce%20migration/columbia_street_pharmacy/MedEssist%20Interface%20Screenshot%202.png)

## "It's such a simple process for them."

Cory explains. "When I tell them I'll send a link for a consent form, they kind of roll their eyes, but it turns out to be very simple and user-intuitive. Most patients that are using the system for the first time end up complimenting us on the process."

## Want to learn more about how MedEssist could support your practice?

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