The Southwest Colorado health care provider, Axis Health System, paved the way for rural communities to have better access to health care by opening two more pharmacies in Montezuma and Dolores counties.

According to a news release, the pharmacies also took on the first telepharmacy program in Colorado, which Axis Pharmacist Josh Shumway pioneered to benefit the rural communities.

Through telepharmacies, the pharmacist verifies prescriptions and counsels patients. In-person staff is staff available during business hours.

“We can provide the services that this community needs,” Shumway said. “Community members have a reliable pharmacy that’s going to be open, and that their meds are going to be ready on time.”

The Cortez pharmacy is at 691 E. Empire St. and is part of Axis’ 8,000-square-foot addition opened this year, where a drive-through pharmacy and dental care office exists.

It is now open to the public.

In order to fill or transfer a prescription, they said to ask your health care provider to send it to “Axis Health Pharmacy – Cortez” or “Axis Health Pharmacy – Dove Creek.” They accept most forms of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Both pharmacies are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Axis Health System was established in 1960 and is a rural and frontier health care provider. They also provide behavioral, oral, primary and crisis health care.