For more than 110 years, Rainy Lake Pharmacy, formerly City Drug, has stood as a cornerstone of the International Falls community. As a critical healthcare access point, history runs deep in the building that has operated as a pharmacy since 1916. 

While the history of building upgrades is mostly undocumented, it is likely the building remains largely in its original state. While Rainy Lake Medical Center is proud of the deep roots of the pharmacy, its current layout has turned into a safety concern. 

The list of upgrades needed is long, however, medication storage is at the forefront. Currently, the area where controlled substances, including opioid medications, are stored, cannot be securely locked. As a result, a licensed pharmacist must always be on site to maintain compliance and prevent unauthorized access. This places strain on staffing and creates limitations on access to the pharmacy’s over-the-counter products and gift section to the community. 

Undoubtedly, this could be a dangerous situation. Without critical facility upgrades, the pharmacy faces increased risk of access to controlled substances, which threatens community-wide safety and could fail to comply with required security protocols and procedures. 

While the pharmacy faces these challenges, it is our priority to remain accessible to the community that has relied on our services for decades. And while we are counted on for necessary medications, our staff also offer drug counseling services, vaccinations and serve as trusted resources. Structural improvements would allow for a private meeting room and bathrooms, both of which are not currently available to the public. 

Rainy Lake Pharmacy – owned by Rainy Lake Medical Center – understands the importance of these safety features that may seem basic and easily taken for granted. We are requesting support to make these critical renovations possible so we can continue offering access to the community we are proud to serve. 

While preserving history is important to us, we need to modernize our space to continue serving International Falls and the surrounding areas for the next century. 

Existing Pharmacy Floor Plans

New Pharmacy Floor Plans