Nokomis council responds to pharmacy auction

April 14, 2026

Key points from this story:

• James Pharmacy Group listed property on McDougall Auction site
• Non-competition clause bars new pharmacy for three years
• Over-the-counter pharmacy-type goods capped at 15% of gross annual sales
• Town proposes Nokomis Wellness Centre on municipal property

The following is a letter from the Town of Nokomis Council that was originally mailed out on April 10th.

- By Mayor David Mark on behalf of the Town Council

To those seeking pharmacy service in Nokomis:

By now we're sure you've heard the news that the Nokomis Pharmacy is up for auction on the McDougall Auction site. Without notice, the owner of the Nokomis Pharmacy, the James Pharmacy Group posted the property and a portion of the business up for sale. If the property sells, the new owner must sign a non-competition clause (term) where a new pharmacy can't be established in the building for 3 years. In addition, over the counter drugs and other pharmacy goods can only make up 15% of the gross annual sales.

An attempt was made to get the property removed from the auction site to provide time for the Town to work with the owner to find an exit price and help find a buyer. The competition clauses and revenue cap wasn't known at the time of the conversation. The James Pharmacy Group has responded to Council that it will proceed with the auction to assess the value of the property, associated business and liquor license.

With this response, it leaves the community with a decision to make. Do we allow one person to stand in the way of providing pharmacy services to the community and region? Or, do we step around those with limited foresight and continue on and establish our own pharmacy, either in partnership with another pharmacy in the region or on our own?

This won't be the first time the Town has intervened to ensure the pharmacy stays in business in Nokomis to support the needs of the Nokomis Health Centre residents, Dr. Lim's practice and patients and our lab services. Council wants you to consider the possibilities of doing this again.

We propose that the Town of Nokomis and interested investors build a new building on town owned commercial property named the Nokomis Wellness Centre. This building could house a pharmacy, space for massage therapy, pediatrics and other health services provided by professionals in the community and region. This Nokomis Wellness Centre could also host yoga classes, and other wellness activities where a larger space is required.

Over the past 12 years our community has made huge leaps forward in renewing infrastructure and preparing for growth that now stands at our doorstep. We need to take the risks necessary to enjoy the benefits of this regional growth and build capacity in Nokomis to meet the demands of this growth. With between 800-900 permanent workers starting at the BHP Jansen Mine, we will also see the immigration of families and associated services. We can take advantage of this growth or miss it by allowing those not willing to take the risk with us, dictate their terms and suffer from them!

Join us in taking a risk that will benefit Nokomis and the region today!

Please reach out to the Town Office, Council or Mayor to learn more or to provide input on working together to secure a new pharmacy and associated wellness services. Now is the time to invest and take the risk, not retreat into self-interest by placing restrictions and limitations on the community like those currently being made by the owners of the Nokomis Pharmacy.

We are a strong, proud and resilient community and region. Let's take on this challenge and prevail like we have so many times before!

Sincerely,
Town Council
Signed by Mayor David Mark on behalf of Council