It has been about a year since I first met and interviewed Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Shahida (pronounced “Sha-Da”) Choudhry and pharmacy technician Naivis Valdez of the Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe in Tampa Palms, and a lot of new things have happened in that short time.
Although no one will ever accuse the Palms Pharmacy of being overcrowded with merchandise, Shahida and Naivis have added a number of new products and services — and all are still available at prices that beat the national pharmacy or grocery chains, if you could even find the same natural, health-conscious brands at those pharmacy “superstores.”
And of course, even though some people do get to know their pharmacist, I can assure you that you will never receive better, more personalized service anywhere else. Yes, Palms Pharmacy has great products, but their specialty is still bringing back the “good old days” of the “corner drug store.”
A Pharmacy App For The Digital Age
Of course, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, Shahida and Naivis can offer technology to make your pharmacy experience even more convenient with a new, free app — an app that currently is only available at Palms Pharmacy in all of Tampa.
The app is called “RxLocal” and it allows you to refill your prescriptions, receive reminders and even interact with the pharmacy. “It’s so convenient,” Shahida said as she got me signed up to use the app. “Everyone who has tried it has found it really easy to use.”
Even so, one of the things I love the most about the Palms Pharmacy is that Shahida and Naivis are somehow able to beat the national drug chains on price and can even compete favorably with Walmart and other discount stores on everything from prescriptions to over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
In last year’s article about the store, I mentioned that I saved money on items like extra-strength Tylenol and Mucinex and those discounts haven’t gone away.
Best of all, with new products and services being added all the time, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at the Palms Pharmacy.
If you like natural vitamins and supplements, the store now carries two additional all-natural lines — Ortho Molecular Products & Pure Encapsulations, as well as Nordic Naturals. Pure promises, “Zero compromises. Pure Results,” in supplements that have zero gluten, zero hydrogenated fat, zero artificial sweeteners and colors and zero magnesium stearate.
Meanwhile, Ortho Molecular Products promise, “Quality beyond what’s expected,” and to take multiple steps other companies may not take to ensure the quality of the company’s formulations.
Expanding The Zum Line & More
In our last story about the Palms Pharmacy, I mentioned that the store carried multiple products in the Zum line from Indigo Wild, which creates, “Natural products for body & home.”
My fiance Jannah absolutely loves the Zum Bar all-natural soaps and the company keeps coming out with new scents. Palms Pharmacy also carries Zum Kiss lip products, Zum Body lotions, Zum Rub moisturizers with shea butter and Zum Mist aromatherapy & body mists.
“Our customers have gone absolutely crazy asking for more of the Zum line and, of course, we listened,” says Shahida. “And we continue to add other all-natural products, like the American Provenance all-natural deodorants, because we keep getting customer requests for more.”
Shahida and Naivis also like to support local companies, like “KurVee Girl,” or KVG bath “bombs,” which the KurVeeGirl.com website describe as, “a great way to scent and enrich your bath with amazing oils essential for hydrating your skin and leaving it soft.”
Shahida says that KVG bath bombs and other all-natural skincare products are made nearby in Dade City, FL, and come in another unique variety of scents, including Wild Orchid, Ginger & Lime, Fresh Cotton and many more.
Also new at Palms Pharmacy is the line of LovePop pop-up greeting cards. Each card is a work of origami and there are cards for every occasion from birthdays to holidays to wedding announcements that will surely become a keepsake for anyone who receives one.
Discounted Lab Work, Too
Shahida and Naivis also are proud that the Palms Pharmacy has recently contracted with two laboratories in order to provide discounted lab tests to their patients.
“Some doctors already complain that our prescription drug prices are too low,” Shahida says, “but now, with our contract with Quest Diagnostics, we can offer discounted blood work that doesn’t have to be ordered by your doctor.”
A second lab, ZRT Laboratory, offers discounted saliva hormone testing.
“Doctors were sending me the results of hormone tests (for estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and more) and telling me which hormones to use to properly balance them,” Shahida says. “Now, we can do those tests here, send the results to the patient’s doctor for less and even compound them here.”
Community Caring, Global Reach
Shahida and Naivis also are proud to be rooted in the New Tampa community and beyond. They have been donating thousands of dollars in OTC medications and medical supplies to Puerto Rico, not just since Hurricane Maria (see story on pg. 12), but since Hurricane Irma hit the island in September.
“We also have donated a lot of school supplies to schools here in our community and our Team Palms Pharmacy T-shirts have been worn by people on mission trips all over the world, from Thailand to Switzerland to Puerto Rico and even the USF Latin American Medical Student Association mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
“We’re here to help any way we can,” she says. “So, come on in, have a cup of complimentary coffee or our ‘snack of the week’ and let us treat you like family, too.”
The Palms Pharmacy is located at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr. and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday (closed on Sunday). For more information, including about local delivery, call (813) 252-9063, or visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com.
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