By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
After nearly two decades of serving Pacific Palisades, Pharmaca will close its store on Sunset Boulevard, effective February 25, while the pharmacy has already closed, following its purchase by Walgreens.
The Pharmaca chain was acquired by Medly Health Inc., a digital-pharmacy company, in 2021, which filed for bankruptcy in late 2022 and was recently purchased by Walgreens. Medly offered a “full-service, digital pharmacy,” with “free prescription delivery for all types of medications,” according to its website.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to acquire the pharmaceutical records and other select assets across 22 Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacies and four Medly Pharmacies nationally,” a representative from Walgreens Corporate Communications told the Palisadian-Post via email on Thursday, February 9.
The Medly Bankruptcy Sale Order was approved on Tuesday, February 7, by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, according to the email. At the time of the sale, Colorado-based Pharmaca operated stores in six western states, according to its website. All locations were expected to close.
“Attention customers of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy #2110: This pharmacy is closed,” read a sign adhered to Pharmaca’s front door. “Your prescription records have been transferred to Walgreens at 1932 Wilshire Boulevard. You may also get your prescriptions filled at any other Walgreens location.”
Patients do not need to take any action, according to the Walgreens representative, as their pharmacy files would automatically be transferred to the designated Walgreens location.
“Patients will receive notice about any changes through mail and other means with details about continued access to their prescriptions and other services,” the representative concluded.
While the pharmacy component of the store closed February 9, the rest of the store was slated to remain open through February 25, with its selection of merchandise, including health and wellness items, available for 50% off during regular business hours.
“It is with very heavy hearts we announce the final closure of Pharmaca,” the brand wrote in a statement shared on social media.
The Post spoke with one store employee who described the closure as “a shock.”
Before Pharmaca arrived in the Sunset Boulevard space, it was previously occupied by Bay Pharmacy, which owner Wehiba Kalifa sold to Pharmaca in 2004, as reported by the Post. Bay Pharmacy had roots in the Palisades dating back to 1949, owned by Al Green prior to Kalifa.
The Palisades location marked Pharmaca’s first store in Southern California—its 11th overall, at the time.
“Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy offers a unique blend of traditional pharmacy services and natural and complementary health solutions,” according to a description on its website. “We offer prescription compounding services, featuring specially tailored doses and delivery methods of your medications.”
Pharmaca aimed to offer customers “a holistic approach,” with “a variety of tools for healthy living,” including vitamins, herbal and homeopathic formulas, and organic and natural skin care and cosmetics.
As the Post went to print Tuesday, February 14, it was unclear who would take over the space following Pharmaca’s closure.
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