After a two-week delay, Drug Smart Pharmacy will open today in the Queen’s Centre.

It’s one of two new retailers to occupy Queen’s Centre space — Grocery Checkout Fresh Market opened on Feb. 14.

Suzanne Kerr is a partner in the new pharmacy, which originally planned to launch on March 1.

“One of our biggest delays was the dispensary; there was a delay in shipping,” Kerr, ConEd ’97, said.

Following the initial delay, the 2,500-square foot space was scheduled to open yesterday. But the pharmacy stock arrived late. “Basically, half of our stock was on the trucks, this stuff happens,” she said. “It’s too bad, we had everything else ready.”

The pharmacy will carry health supplements, a variety of sports aids and braces, vitamin and nutritional supplements, condoms and other family planning products, prescription medications, over-the-counter-medications and feminine hygiene products.

Kerr will be one of the pharmacists working in Drug Smart. Drug Smart Pharmacy is a chain of family-owned businesses that started in 1980.

“I’ve always thought Queen’s should have a pharmacy,” Kerr said, adding that it was an AMS initiative. “It was visionary really.

“We’re going to be very competitively priced. We’re aware of what the stores in the area are and we’re not more expensive.” Kerr said the pharmacy will be involved with health outreach on campus.

“Particularly in September when the new Queen’s students come in. We’re open to holding health clinics or talks either here or in an auditorium.”

She added that Drug Smart is using Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with students. Kerr started a blog where she plans to talk about health issues.

“A pharmacy is a place where you can go to get things you need but you can go for free medical advice,” she said, adding that pharmacists act as a link between physicians and patients. “[They] refer you if you need something more.”

Along with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, the staff will include 10 student cashiers, who have already been hired.

Today Drug Smart will offer a 10 per cent discount for everything excluding prescriptions and other behind-the-counter items, Kerr said.

“I’m just looking forward to opening the doors.”