The new pharmacy: these 21st-century health centers combine the full range of pharmaceuticals with alternative treatments, natural products and advice from nurses, nutritionists and naturopaths

Natural Health, April, 2004 by Nora Isaacs

"Our brand is education," says Skorman. "We're here to tell the truth so you can make the choice that's best for your own health and your own beauty."

coming full circle

Every day at Ross Valley Pharmacy in Larkspur, Calif., Lofholm encounters patients with questions about how to better care for themselves: What's a good vitamin? Should I take fish oil? Hop; about baby aspirin? "We [pharmacists] need to fill this need," he says.

In addition to being a resource for health answers, Lofholm predicts that the integrative pharmacy of the future will routinely offer cutting-edge technology, such as lasers that shine on the skin to detect antioxidant deficiencies or saliva testing that identifies conditions which can be minimized through supplements.

For those living in places without an integrative pharmacy, changes may be in the works. "Just as the phenomenon of natural-food [supermarkets] wasn't on anyone's radar screen 20 years ago, this is what you'll see with integrative pharmacies," says Precious. Meanwhile, current venues offer some services and products through their Web sites.

Beyond creating a new model for the proactive consumer, integrative pharmacies hope to restore traditions of healing that have been overshadowed by a focus on pure science.

"It's coming full circle," says Precious. "Now we are picking through both worlds and asking, What is the best that Western medicine has to offer? What is the best that traditional medicine has to offer? It allows for a whole new paradigm of thinking about health and healing."

find a pharmacy

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy

Intimate community-based facilities with an educated staff available for consultations on everything from skin care to drug and herb interactions. pharmaca.com 303-442-2304 mail order: no cool products: High-end, hard-to-find natural-spa beauty lines like Astara and Korres.

ApotheCure

Compounding pharmacy that offers individualized formulas; in high demand recently are compounds for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, menopause and cardiovascular disease. apothecure.com 800-969-6601 mail order: yes cool product: Prescription formula for eyedrops not only wets the eyes, but helps heal corneal damage.

find a pharmacy

The Hickey Chemists New York Natural Pharmacy With five locations in New York, Hickey offers the services of pharmacists and nutritionists who provide complimentary consultations to all customers, both in the store and online. hickeychemists.com 800-844-9060 mail order: yes cool product: InVite multivitamins ensure optimum absorption by using liquid-capsule technology and pharmaceutical-grade tablets.

Willner Chemists This New York-based company specializes in homeopathic remedies and offers a two-hour weekly radio program. willner.com 800-633-1106 mail order: yes cool product: An extensive online reference library offers 27 different formulas for arthritis.

Elephant Pharmacy With a focus on education, Elephant offers workshops, expert advice and masses of health information, as well as the nation's largest natural-cosmetics department. elephantpharmacy.com 510-549-9200 mail order: no cool products: Boxed set of medicinal teas (opposite) and designer reading glasses.