Calgary pharmacies are struggling to keep up with the high demand for COVID-19 booster shots while some Calgarians say they ve had their appointments cancelled.
CALGARY As Calgary pharmacists prepare to roll out doses of COVID-19 vaccines, many are concerned for the safety of their staff and customers due to a large spike in robberies. Since September of last year, Calgary police say 42 pharmacies have been the target of theft in the city. Tariq Fareeby, who owns and manages two Calgary Drug Mart locations said he was robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of Nov. 12 after an armed suspect came into his Lincoln Park location. “I saw the gun under his belt, so then I gave up,” Fareeby said. “I think there are multiple factors with the frustrations over vaccines, the pandemic, a lack of jobs, and people unable to get prescriptions from their doctors so pharmacies are an easy target.