Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy

I like their natural makeup brands, and the variety of supplements. The customer service here is not the best. The makeup counter personnel was not that useful in helping me choose my shade. Also, I was not greeted or asked if I needed help. However, I had to return something that didn’t work for me, and they accepted it without a problem. So this was a plus.

I brought back a product which had a broken capsule in it… the cashier put it aside and without acknowledging it started to ring up my order. I asked her if there was anything they could do to compensate the defect — basically a discount (small) for purchase of another bottle of the same product. She said she would have to ask her manager, then called over a women (who turned out NOT to be the manager) and told her I wanted to receive one pill to cover the loss! I said, «that’s not what I said.» But she continued to repeat that statement??? and I continued to contend that only wanted a small compensation for a defective product… she suggested I come back on «Senior day» for a 10% discount! How could she even assume I was a «senior!» Rude Rude Rude. BTW I used to love this store;(

Positives: compounding pharmacy
variety of natural & organic products
Negatives: some (not all, but enough to turn you off) real rude cashiers & pharmacists — super pretentious!

The customer service here is straight up awesome. Especially the lady clerks– you guys rock my socks. I seriously walked out of there last week, thinking «she totally just made my day.»

Hiking in nature is fun. Getting a tick bite is not fun. A pharmacy that realizes your health insurance card doesn’t have all the insurance identification needed and takes care of calling the insurance company for you to find out the missing info (while you go for a quick shopping trip next door at trader joes)? Definitely fun.

I had the absolute worst experience here with their aesthetician. She was so flipping rude I could not believe it. this happened over a year ago and I’m still so amazed at how poorly I was treated. Even the manager, who was standing close by and overheard it, couldn’t believe it.
Naturally, the manager defended her by stating she was overwhelmed. Well, guess what? News flash! I’m a human being. I definitely didn’t deserve to be treated so poorly.
I went in for a new face wash and inquired about which one I should buy. (I was SUPER polite) and she says «whatever one you want» I said…“ok well they’re for different skin types so can you recommend?” Again, «just buy the one for your skin».
Sorry. But that’s just bitch behavior. I’m going to just believe that she was upset that she is ugly and I am a very pretty woman. Gorgeous in fact. Also I’m young. Much younger. Old hag.
I can be mean too.
So I followed the manager to the back and said hey don’t you think that was rude? I came in to buy an entire new skin care line and I’m now going to leave empty handed.
Rude AF.
Ended up at Nordstrom the next day. They took care of me.

The Best!!! Informative and helpful! Every time me and my wife visit they are more than helpful and generous! Major shot out to Jina who has helped us over the years!

This review is for the pharmacy only (not the retail store): Didn’t think it was possible, but this pharmacy is worse than any CVS/​Walgreens/​etc. I’ve ever been to. They struggled with my insurance – not a very complicated situation – and were totally unwilling to explain to me what was going on with my Rx. Honestly, they were very rude about the whole thing. Also, I heard them giving another patient a different RX than the one prescribed by a patient’s doctor because they didn’t have the correct one in stock. According to the pharmacist, «the medications aren’t that different», but I’d personally rather hear that from my doc. Still waiting on them to sort out my Rx (35 mins and counting).
Update: After nearly an hour of trying to figure out the insurance issue, this pharmacy told me I might have better luck elsewhere because «their system is better at CVS». I left (in a bad mood), drove about 2 miles to the CVS on telegraph in Berkeley, and the beautiful, amazing, magical technician there got on the phone with my insurance and figured out the issue in TWO MINUTES. My Rx will be ready in 20. I take back every negative thing I have ever said about CVS and strongly encourage people to stay the heck away from Pharmaca.

Amazing line of natural pharmacies full of thoughtful and knowledgeable employees.
For the naturally-​conscious and medicinally-​handicapped, this place is your saving grace. There are always alternatives that the employees are happy to help you figure out, including what is best for your situation and most cost effective. Pharmacists as well as retail employees are always interested and invested in the products!
Heaven on earth too, as far as snacks and healthy lifestyle additions goes. Like Whole Body (in Whole Foods) only bigger and better.

Love this pharmacy! Their products tend to be a little pricier than CVS or Walgreens, but I’ve found that the quantity and service largely warrant it.
A lot of their products are organic, eco-​friendly and or local. They do have a pretty small store so the selection isn’t always large for some items, but I can generally find everything that I need.
Shout out to their staff too. They’re knowledgeable, friendly and always quite helpful. Plus, I love the coupons they send (just sign up for their rewards program — they’re great about not spamming).

I looove this place so much. It has most everything health-​related I need, my usual chocolate selection, kombucha, and well-​informed associates that I can ask lots of questions about supplements and remedies.
I love that it has pharmaceutical options as well as an extensive holistic selection. While I prefer to take the preventative holistic route, when you’re already sick, I need to use some of the strong OTC stuff. Most everyone I’ve asked for advice on combinations and preferences have given me solid recs and they are all friendly and sweet to boot.
It’s my one stop health shop!

I switched to this pharmacy two months ago and had high hopes. Seems like they’re trying to be all crunchy granola and holistic. I suffer chronic pain, and the last thing I need to deal with is hassles surrounding picking up my meds every month. Finding a pharmacy not run by fucktards seems to be impossible. Go ahead, Unilocal «pharmacy,» and sit back and read. The people that work in pharmacies are one step above Comcast in the customer service department. Horror stories, at least in the Oakland/​Berkeley area.
Anyway, so the first month mostly went well except they told me they were setting me up for auto notification and failed to notify me when my meds were ready, which is a small thing.
The second month though, ugh. They fucked up one of my meds big time. They were supposed to give me 90 pills. I have to take a lot of different meds, so I picked everything up and didn’t pay attention. So in 10 days, I was surprised to have run out of this one particular med. I call them and politely say «Hey, I’m out of this one. You must have only given me 30 instead of 90. Can I come back and get the other 60?» They say yes, no prob.
I go in, pick up the bottle. As I’m walking out the door, I hold up the bottle and think «That doesn’t look like 60 pills.» So I walk back to the counter and say «Can you recount. This doesn’t look like 60 pills.» Some super young chick takes them behind the counter where I can’t see, claims to count them, pours them back in the bottle, and says «Yeah, that’s 60.»
So imagine my surprise when I run out in another 10 days!!! Yes, I guess I’m a dumb ass for not recounting them when I got out to the parking lot that day, but why wouldn’t I believe her when she said she had recounted them and told me there were 60? I took her at her word.
So I go back in a THIRD time about this one scrip and speak to a rude-​ass bitch named Poonam, who says the scrip got transferred from my last pharmacy wrong and I’m only supposed to be taking 900 mg a day of this med. She offered no apologies for their fuck up, BTW, for the fact that I’ve now had to make three trips in for their stupidity. I’m like «Lady, I’ve been taking this medication for eight years, and I take 900 mg THREE TIMES A DAY for a total of 2,700 mg a day. Just give me the last 30 pills so I can quit this godforsaken place and go to CVS.» She tells me she will call my doctor first thing tomorrow morning since it’s a Sunday night and call me back.
Needless to say, I hear NOTHING from them on Monday. Poonam doesn’t call my doctor; she takes no steps to address it at all. When I call them at 3:00 on Monday, no one there has any idea what I’m talking about. I speak to a pharmacy manager, who tells me just to come in and pick up my 30 pills though. I think she just wants to be done with me. She also offers no apology.
My wife goes down later that evening to pick up my last 30 pills. The pharmacy manager is no longer there. There are no pills waiting for me. No one there has ever heard of me or my situation. What’s more, they say they can’t give them to me because the scrip they have for me says I’m only allowed 30 pills, and they’ve already given me 60 pills this month, which is technically against the law, so they won’t give my wife anything but nine pills to get me through the next day until they call my doctor. My wife is like «But every time you say you’re going to call the doctor, you don’t!»
SERIOUSLY, FUCK THESE PEOPLE!
Honestly, are pharmacies where people go when they flunk out of dental school? Are they where people go where you get fired from Comcast for being too cooperative and friendly? People come to pharmacies when they are hurting and in pain. They are not happy when they get there. They’re not thrilled to be taking a bunch of goddamned pills. The least you could do was be fucking helpful. Why did you choose this job? You are all horrible people at this pharmacy, except Nathan. My wife wanted me to point out that Nathan, who helped her last night and finally apologized for this colossal fuck up, was indeed nice and kind.
But the pharmacy manager, Poonam, and the young chick for whom counting was a struggle, seriously, screw all of you. Living with chronic pain sucks. It’s a daily battle to get myself out of bed some days. I’ve been fighting this shit for eight years. I know you have no way of understanding that some days a trip out of the house is an insurmountable feat, but thank you so much for making sure that one scrip involved four visits to your store. Thank you all for not do your jobs – for counting poorly, for not calling my doctor to sort it out like you said you would, for not putting my pills aside, for never calling me back – pat yourselves on the backs for a job well done this week. Kudos to all of you. Health care is truly your forté.

I was at the beauty counter today looking through the Jane Iredale products where 2 employees (women) were restocking makeup and other products. I locked eyes with each of them more than once. Not a hello, not a «can I get you anything» nothing… am I invisible? I even rummaged through the drawers myself to find my eyeliner just to see if they’d approach me and help find my eyeliner, but no. I grew tired of the lack of service so I left happily let me tell you, if they get commission, they’ll never earn it.

One of my favorites. Paula, the pharamcist, is lovely and very knowledgeable, and the same for all of the staff. It is a pleasure to go there. I also loved Jill, who used to be the pharmacist here and is now over at the Solano store, if that is closer for you.

I went in for some over the counter drugs. I brought the box home, opened it, and found the blister pack popped with a bunch of the pills loose in the box. I took it back.
I talked to somebody whose name badge said she was a store manager. She initially agreed to exchange it, but it turned out they only had the next size up. She wanted to charge me the difference (a few dollars, but it’s the principle). I explained that I’d already had to go home and come back, and I wasn’t going to pay extra for that. She gave me a bunch of attitude, going on about «whatever had happened» with the original box, suggested they could back order a smaller box and call me when it came in, and finally said «fine. I’m not going to argue with you.»
So, I have no idea what happened with the original box. But good customer service would have involved an apology at that point, rather than an attempt to get a few more dollars out of the customer.

They always have the meds I need. I could spend a lot of money in here, it’s a dangerous place to hangout, but I love that they’re about supporting local businesses and offer homeopathic remedies. Awesome check-​in promo too for the coconut water!

I love this place. It’s where I get my probiotics, vitamins, whey protein powder, and most recently one of their employees, Derrick, turned me on to Goldfaden Md. Skincare. It’s expensive and worth it and it’s changing my skin. Derrick has helped me multiple times when I’ve been in here and he’s a real asset to this business. He makes me want to spend my money but in a good way on stuff that’s worth it and I never feel like I’m being hustled– but that he’s actually trying to help me and he knows his stuff. Anyways– this store in general has a great selection of healthcare/​bodycare products. It’s the only place I go! One thing– You guys should start carrying Jamaican black castor oil! Thanks! :)

I sustained a huge, ugly, whopper of a bruise when I was hit by a baseball that came speeding at my hip from a professional pitching machine. (Seriously! Scene of the crime: AT&T Park.)
My massage therapist suggested arnica to help heal it so I came here to find some. Pharmaca’s staff lead me straight to it, explained my options and I was in and out of there in three minutes.
Since then I’ve returned to Pharmaca for sensitive skin face wash recommendations, tongue scrapers and natural deodorant. The place has a nice vibe and decently competitive prices. And it’s conveniently located just next to Trader Joe’s!

I have been coming to Pharmaca for 6 years, and to the College Ave location for 3 years. I really can’t say enough good things about them. I will tell you this, it is easy to write a Unilocal review. I was so appreciative of all of the great service that I have received in the past 3 years, I brought them all treats on Valentines day. Every single employee there has gone out of their way to help me with something at some point, and in a world where most chain stores don’t care, I find the earnest, considerate, caring staff their truly refreshing, and I really feel loved!
I have had some serious health problems over the past 2 years. As a result I don’t have a lot of money and I need a lot of Rx. While the non Rx things there are not cheap, they are super high quality, and you get a Pharmaca rewards. So, every quarter I end up getting between $ 10 – 25 of free stuff, for shopping there, which has me feel that it balances out the prices for some of the fancier items. For stuff like contact lens solution, it cost the exact same amount it costs everywhere else, I am a penny pinching shopper, and I have checked!
Back to the amazing people! I come in on average 2 – 3 times a month. I am allergic to a million things, I have crazy insurance issues, and complicated doctors writing prescriptions that have at times been totally inappropriate. They have literally saved my life by paying attention, more than once.
Have they ever screwed up? Sure they have (don’t we all once in awhile?). Did they totally fix it, own their mistake and make it right. ABSOLUTELY! I think that is one of the reasons I really trust them. The few times where things were not how I expected it to go, they completely honored me, heard me, and made amends. That to me is more important than perfection.
For a while I was having a hard time getting an Rx filled because it is hard to get via the manufacturer/​distributor. After going all over Oakland to try and solve this problem, I finally came back to David the pharmacist and explained my issue. (I was completely worn out from being treated like dirt at CVS, Walgreens, and where ever else I went that day.) He really listened to my problem, and committed to figuring out a new solution to my problem. It turns out it was a relatively easy fix, it just required someone to THINK about it. He did. He called my doctor, provided a list of options for the future, and worked hard to figure out the right combination that would be covered by my insurance. He probably spent an hour on me that day. I don’t think I have ever felt like someone was such a hero in a store in my life! He really gave me faith in humanity, that there are people that will do the right thing, all they need is the right chance!
Let me also acknowledge Sarah, who ALWAYS greets me with a smile, and a few kind words, right when I needed it. Poonam, who remembered my name from the first time I came in, and always seems happy to see me and concerned for my well being. Elena, who I have witnessed dealing with some of the most over the top, crazy entitled customers, with buddha like grace. Jill who has unraveled crazy challenges with thoughtful consideration. I am not great with names, and everyone in the pharmacy is great! In 3 years I have never had even a remotely negative experience with ANYONE there!
The store staff are awesome too! (the review below about the guy with the tattoo on his head is total BS!) That guy is one of the sweetest, most attentive sales people I have EVER met. He is chockful of knowledge and has a really great grasp on the stores options. Good on him for waiting for the guy to get off the phone! (also his tattoo is completely awesome!) The redheaded lady who works in make up, KNOWS HER STUFF! She always sends me off with just the right thing. The naturopathic staff are incredible, and have helped me manage all sorts of issues naturally. Everyone there is AMAZING, and I am so completely grateful that they are available to us. We are so lucky! THANK YOU!!!
(BTW, this review might seem like I am a total easy to please person, but I can tell you, that is not the case. I can be a total pain in the ass if you piss me off! ;)

I normally really find the people at Pharmaca helpful and have been a fan, but I just had a terrible interaction with the guy who was ringing me up and may never go back.
I went in to buy contact lens solution for my wife, who comes back tomorrow after being out of the country for the past two months. I called her to make sure I got the right kind and she calls me back just as I’m getting to the check out counter. I answer it, and am asking her and notice that I’m not getting rung up. I see the guy who is ringing me up (skinny with tattoo head instead of hair) saying something, so I pause and ask him. He tells me that he won’t ring me up if I’m on the phone. I’m completely confused and ask my wife to hold on, I ask him what is going on and he says he refuses to ring me up if I’m on the phone. I tell him I’m on the phone with my wife who is out of the country and he says he doesn’t care, that he wants a personal interaction with everyone. He walks to the next register and leaves me there to ring up the next person. I explain the situation to my wife and ask her to hold on. I stand there and am just kind of amazed. I’m not a jerky kind of person, but I was just treated like one.
I stand there and wait until I can talk to the guy. I explain how I see the situation, with my wife still on the line, and after a few seconds he walks away to get someone else to ring me up. I contemplate walking out, but hoped it would be the manager.
Anyway, I explain my unhappiness with the interaction to the new guy who rings me up and apologizes profusely.
I agree with the tattoo headed guy that it isn’t polite to treat people around you like they don’t matter, but sometimes stuff comes up in life — in this case clarifying that I was buying the right thing. If you are in a service business, you need to recognize that. Customers coming in Pharmaca’s door is not a right, it is something that has been worked for by many people giving great service over time. Just like for you, tattoo head, that pretty decent paycheck that Pharmaca or anyone else gives you is not a right.
Alienating good people who are just trying to go about their day is not good policy, and in this case could and possibly should have cost him his job.
In the very least it likely lost Pharmaca an otherwise regular, happy, and respectful customer. That was a really crappy interaction.

I have decided to switch my prescriptions to CVS. Over Thanksgiving weekend, one woman decided I could not have my prescription because it was «too soon,» even though the computer indicated that it was OK and my doctor even called them and they still wouldn’t fill it. I think their Pharm Techs have a lot of attitude. Jill and Elena are great, but if they’re not there, look out. Life is just too short.

Pharmaca has extremely personable pharmacy techs and pharmacists. They were helpful with my rx and hashing out insurance technicalities, which is bs these days.
They were patient and informative. It was easy for them to answer any questions I had unlike other pharmacies where they act like your business is a waste of time. So– a whopping four stars for pharmaca!
Thanks ladies!

This place is amazing!!! They have the best selection of the purest ingredients. They have everything from essential aroma and body oils, supplements, bath products, makeup, and everything you could think of under the «self care» umbrella. The employees are so nice and helpful! And let me reiterate the selection is the best I’ve seen in the bay!
Definitely the only place you need to go for any natural or specialty self-​care product.

Store well organized, many affordable products and great variety of items.
Unfortunately bad attitude from a few male employees (with the exception of the Tattoo guy, he’s awesome!) stains the ‘compassionate’ help standards expected at this kind of location: Kurt does not assist clients in need and brushes off questions in a very rude manner that has been experienced before numerous times.
Why would you work in this kind of environment if you act like a DMV employee ?
Fortunately, they are an exception as all other employees provide exemplary assistance, never failing to enquire about your needs and might even… you know… small talk or chat a bit or whatnot.
Some of these guys are bad apples ruining it for everyone, having picked the worst setting/​sector to be working in.

Time: 5:51pm/58°F cloudy
Purpose: Walking back to car after a day in neighborhood checking up clients and exploring new accounts.
Set-​up: Natural remedies shop with in house pharmacy and massage therapy on site.
Staff: Workers range from old and young the younger workers more relax doing most of the greetings and cashier. The older workers seems tense and nervous keeping an eye out on the store, suspecting everyone is a shoplifter. I got approach 3 times within 5 mins period. Now keep in mind I was in business attire mature and definitely working type. Felt better when another person got the same method, knowing it’s not just me.
Cleanliness: Well kept as it should be for health/​beauty part.
Buys: A pack of inka cornnuts $.1.39 and ONE coconut water $ 3.29
Products: Medicine, beauty supplies, snacks, cold juices/​water, prescriptions, massages, well being etc.
Punch Lines: TJ’s next door, Bart, pizza, cafes, libraries, school, freeway, small specialty shops, bike rack, big lot (share with TJ’s), mark up of more than 17% than average pricing, no lines.
Tradeoffs: Overpriced items that can be had at your local drugstore for fraction of the cost. This place will make Whole Foods prices that of Safeway’s.
Final Thoughts: I rather bleed a little more and drive to out of my way to get me bandages at more reasonable price. It wouldn’t kill me if I don’t go here!