Co-op corner: Caravaggio I.D.A

Written By Mackenzie Bannerman

This week Mackenzie Bannerman from Centre Dufferin District High School shares a little bit about her experience and how Caravaggio I.D.A. is contributing to the Shelburne community.

Caravaggio I.D.A. Pharmacy has been in business since 1995. It was owned by Don Asaph, it then was purchased by John Caravaggio and now it is owned by a very talented Pharmacist, Margerit Babawy. 

This friendly Pharmacy provides help for many people from their local community as well as some from outside of the community. The friendly and knowledgeable staff always use great care as they make compounds, count pills and prepare prescriptions for customers. 

My experience at the I.D.A. has been very positive and I am enjoying it very much. I have learned the different tasks that a Pharmacy Assistant does. So far, I have learned to count pills for a prescription, how to fill the scripts, and how to make blister packs for people while using proper equipment PPE. I have even learned how to say the names of many of the hard to pronounce drugs. 

You always have to be very careful when handling certain medications as direct contact with your skin can cause harm, so we must ensure we are using the proper equipment when needed, like gloves and tweezers.

There are a few different careers that are associated with pharmaceuticals. There are jobs for Pharmacists within hospitals where they are able to identify medications that people need and why they need them. Another example is careers within the Pharmaceutical industry. These careers can involve creating clinical trials of medicine and requires a good understanding of drugs, how they are used, and their possible effects. Lastly, there are government roles can also be related because pharmacists have the skills and knowledge to work within eHealth and public health units.

Caravaggio Pharmacy just recently donated to the new water park being built in Shelburne. They have donations that go out to food banks, breakfast clubs and schools, and they have also donated to local sports teams. As well, a Ladies Night is hosted every year around Christmas where there are draws to win prizes, they accept food bank donations and give the community an
evening of fun.