PHARMACY Pharmaca

ROBERT VOSBURGH

Growing awareness of the connection between mind, body and spirit makes a concept like Pharmaca all the more relevant.

“What Pharmaca is trying to do is play a very important role that's somewhere between being a retailer and a health care provider,” said Barry Perzow, president and chief executive officer who co-founded the chain in Boulder, Colo., in 2000. “There's a changing dynamic out there. The customer is living in a world where, every day, there's information overload and they're confused.”

Pharmaca is the nation's largest operator of integrated pharmacies. Such a format offers customers all the services of traditional pharmacies, as well as additional options. They can consult with an on-staff homeopath, naturopath or related wellness expert in a practice known as compounding.

“Most chains don't provide a labor or facility model that accommodates the customization and personalization of specific prescriptions for specific needs, whether it's for you, your family or your pet,” Perzow said. “Most retailers just don't have the staffing or expertise to be able to answer customers, and the doctors haven't got time to deal with them either.”

Pharmaca's focus on service spills over into the aisles, where beauty care has enjoyed strong growth in the past 12 months. Women shoppers in particular are changing their habits as certain ingredients, like parabens in deodorant, come under increasing scrutiny as possible carcinogens. The chain has partnered with suppliers in campaigns for safer cosmetics; it also sells a high-end private label spanning many categories, including skin care. Response to the label has been strong, and Pharmaca is currently working on a selection of eco-home cleaners.

Pharmaca is also preparing to spread its message of comprehensive health care throughout the West. The chain will open its 15th store in June, and then launch an ambitious plan to double in size by the end of next year, according to Perzow.

“We should be up and running 23 stores by the end of December '07, and our plan is to add another 12 to 15 stores during the calendar year 2008,” he said. “We believe some areas can certainly support multiple Pharmacas. I think we can do 20 stores in L.A. alone.”