Heart Pharmacy

Heart has been nominated for the TC Best of Victoria award. If you have 20 seconds vote 🙏🏾❤️

TC Readers' Choice Awards 2023 Vote for your favourite local Businesses.

Pharmacy is the bridge between what is discussed in a doctor's office and how it's implemented in your daily life.

You need technical knowledge of medications - what they do, possible side effects - but you also need to actively support & encourage these powerful yet often daunting life changes.

This was such a delightful review to read. And Joe, indeed, is a blessing 👼🏻

If you'd like to leave us a review, you can post a Google Review or email us at [email protected]. ⭐

This review touches on one of our core values: fostering a caring work environment and hiring great people. Yes, it IS important to like who you're working with! Staff treat customers the way they are being treated in the workplace.

We share & celebrate every single positive review with our 100+ staff across all stores; they are a huge morale boost during these chaotic times.

If you have a positive experience you'd love to share, you can leave us a Google Review or email us at [email protected]

Oh! And we're hiring! If you'd like to be a part of a workplace like the one described in this review, visit www.heartpharmacy.com/careers - We'd love to hear from you. ⭐

While it's easy to say "feel free to ask me any questions!", that does not automatically mean people feel comfortable asking.
It is so important to understand your medication, why you're taking it, possible side effects, and what your options are.

If you receive your prescriptions at Heart and have *any* questions, give us a chat next time you're in-store. Joe & our UVic team really are as fantastic as described here! ❤️

1 in 5 British Columbians do not have a family doctor. Our pharmacists may be able to help - many people don't know all the things a pharmacist can do!

Here are 4 things our pharmacists can do for you that might save you a frustrating trip to a walk-in clinic:

Melatonin is related to sleep - most of us have heard this in some form over the last few years - perhaps you have even tried melatonin supplements as a way to improve your sleep.

Lindsay Dixon has made a very informative video on the connection between melatonin, and anxiety. She also talks about a study where melatonin supplementation reduced pain and anxiety levels in cancer patients and pediatric patients. You'll certainly learn something new!

To watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY6I7riYDVY

We are in a Gut Health Renaissance- from the gut microbiome, the mind-gut connection, and following certain diets to achieve more than just weight loss -and we are learning more everyday, experts and consumers alike.

It's hard to keep up, and know which sources of information are backed by the latest scientific evidence.

We are so excited to present the latest Friendly Pharmacy 5 video on probiotics, where our Chief Friendly Pharmacist, Lindsay Dixon, interviews Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic, pharmacist and author of The Clinical Guide to Probiotics in Canada.

This video provides in-depth information, backed by research, and will leave you feeling confident in navigating the supplements & grocery aisles for the probiotics that are right for you and your needs.

You can watch here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16yeywA9oU8

This past December we were named *Best Pharmacy* in the Times Colonist Readers' Choice Awards - this was extra special as it's voted by you!

Thank you to everyone who voted and has shown us so much support over the years 😊

Hello folks! Unfortunately we'll be closing our Post Office at our Fairfield and Cadboro Bay locations on Sundays only for the next little bit, beginning November 7th.

We will still gladly be able to serve your post office needs Monday-Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am-5:30pm at our Fairfield Store.

Our Cadboro Bay Post Office closes at 5pm on Saturdays. Please see heartpharmacycadboro on Instagram for more details.

Just a reminder that today is our CA day! Come by for 15% off your whole transaction.

We're celebrating the official beginning of Fall with some of our cozy favorites! Moving into colder weather means a lot of different things for our bodies and minds. It's important to supplement fewer hours of sunlight with the sunshine vitamin - Vitamin D! Colder weather also means the beginning of cough and cold and flu season, so support your immune system with quick doses of Vitamin C, and the antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey in a soothing lozenge. Finally - take extra luxurious care of yourself because transitioning into dark and gloomy can be stressful on the mental*. Treat yourself to a lemon cuticle butter, peach-flavoured lip oil, and Vitamin C-infused sheet masks for extra hydration. Round it all off with a honey-scented candle shaped like a pumpkin, and some Apple Cinnamon Caramels hand-made in Victoria, to get you in the spirit.

* Stay tuned for more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, what that looks like, and what you can do about it.

Welcome back students! Back to school this year means a lot of different things - maybe you're looking forward to see your friends on campus again after a long year of online learning. Maybe you're excited (or nervous) to spend your first amount of time away from home! Or, maybe back to school for you means a new opportunity to study hard and make your dreams a reality. No matter what Back to School means for you, Heart Pharmacy is here to help. With a helpful selection of stationary and self-care essentials, we are offering 10% off to students through the month of September (with a valid student ID.) Come down and say hi! Ask us what we'd recommend to get you through the months ahead.

Come check out our extensive selection of premium pure beeswax candles! Honey Candles offer so many different styles and colours, it's easy to find a candle for your needs. Whether you're looking to spruce up your entertainment decor, looking for a gift, or just wanting to indulge in a nice treat for yourself, come down to Heart Pharmacy today to fill the flameless void in your heart! 🔥

Summer is a great time to connect with nature, get outdoors, and renew your appreciation for the earth. Why not take your appreciation one step further by making a zero-waste swap today? Many of us are earth-conscious enough to bring our own grocery bags, travel mugs, or water bottles - but there may be more ways you can make a minor change to make a big difference!

Using a plastic toothbrush? Try a wooden bamboo toothbrush from The Future is Bamboo made with charcoal bristles to whiten as you go.
Or maybe you like to keep all your produce separate at the grocery store; Lotus reusable produce bags come in 3 sizes to toss all different kinds of fruits and veggies in.
Give up tin foil or saran wrap in favour of some Abeego beeswax wrap, or some Food Huggers produce savers.
Pick-up a starter kit of biodegradable bamboo face rounds instead of cotton pads that go straight into the garbage - or better yet, try a bamboo face towel that you can use and reuse instead!

There are so many more zero-waste swaps we offer at Heart Pharmacy that we couldn't include in today's post! Let us know in the comments your favorite way to help the earth.

Are you 65 and older and interested in receiving Fluzone, the high-dose flu shot? Last year we were blown away by the amount of people who wanted to receive their flu vaccine, and we weren't able to give everyone who wanted extra protection the option to receive their high-dose shot! This year, we are excited to be able to offer you a pre-book opportunity to ensure you receive the flu shot you want. If you are interested in securing your spot, follow this link: https://www.heartpharmacy.com/vaccination-booking/p/fluzone-high-dose-vaccine , and purchase your vaccine ahead of time. Not sure if the high-dose flu shot is for you? Check out our FAQs here: https://www.heartpharmacy.com/flu-shot-faq

We are so thankful to all of you that participated in our giveaway! If you entered but didn't win, do not fear there may be another giveaway coming your way in the future. We hope this celebration of local businesses will continue, and that you recognize which brands come from surprisingly close by as you shop our shelves.

Did you know Honibe (pronounced honeybee) is the only company to make 100% pure dried Honey? Hiking through bear territory with a jar of honey sounds like a recipe for disaster, but for John and Susan Rowe, it was the beginning of a quest to find a more portable formula of honey.

Based out of Prince Edward Island, John Rowe was looking for a way to bring honey along with him without creating a mess - or worse, attracting bears! What he discovered was a gap in the market for people who were looking to power their lives with honey on the go. Beginning as honey drops to add to whatever your heart desires, Honibe has expanded to offer a series of multivitamins, as well as cough drops, lozenges, and lollipops. If you or your kiddo love multivitamin gummies but hate added sugar, why not try one made from 100% pure Canadian honey instead? This is our favorite way to make taking vitamins fun again.

Imagine an earthy blend of essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and thyme - just to name a few - mixed with the most moisturizing butters and ingredients. Gardener’s Dream Cream is one of our most highly recommended hand creams for effectiveness, scent, and absorption. When Jane Janzen began making Gardener's cream in 1986 on Salt Spring Island, we're not sure if she knew she'd be making some of our favorite creams, body scrubs, and lip salves, but that's definitely what she's done. As if there wasn't already so much to love (that it's made with non-toxic and environmentally friendly ingredients, and that it's female-owned and locally owned and operated) the way this balmy texture literally melts into your skin will hook you immediately. We could go on - but it's easier for you to find out for yourself. Come by and ask for a sample to try Gardener's Dream Cream today.

We’ve talked about the importance of vitamins before - but have you ever considered applying your vitamins onto your skin? Cloud Vitamin Skin creams deliver a potent punch of Vitamin A or D in a paraben, preservative, fragrance-free formula made locally in Victoria!

Both creams offer a different benefit; if you're looking for a barrier between your aging skin, and the environmental stressors like air pollution or the sun then the Vitamin A cream is the match for you. If you need to give your skin a dose of sunshine to brighten up any dullness, then why not apply Vitamin D directly to the skin. A formula meant to be applied to wet or damp skin stretches a long way - you only need one to two pumps to cover your entire body. If you're still not sold, Cloud has made a name for itself through rave reviews and return customers - come in and ask us today about Cloud cream at Heart Pharmacy.

Mid-day Squares have already made an appearance on our Instagram page, but they’re too delicious to not feature during our celebration of Canadian brands we love. Founded in Montreal, Mid-day Squares’ approach to marketing is connecting to the customer directly. The founders showcase their process and personalities through their blog, podcast, and social media accounts, allowing consumers to connect directly with the manufacturers creating the intimacy of a small business. Not only are the founders super cool, they’ve formulated these squares to be vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and 100% organic. There’s no preservatives and nothing artificial - and for 12gm of protein and 8gm of fiber per bar, you can’t beat the taste. Come down to our store to pick up one of their three flavours - Fudge Yah!, Peanut Butta (our personal favorite), and Almond Crunch.

Reminder that tomorrow is our Customer Appreciation Day! Join us on the last Wednesday of every month to receive 15% off your whole transaction - you might even get a free sample to try!

Something about medical professionals developing skincare just hits the mark every time for us - Dr. Morelli’s medical-grade skin care is no exception.

Initially, their slogan “medical-grade” caught our attention, because what does that really mean? Upon discovering it meant their ingredients are backed by clinical research for effectiveness, we were next blown away by the concentration of Vitamin C in their Vitamin C serum, which is the highest % of any over the counter Vitamin C topical we’ve encountered. The before and after photos on the Di Morelli website speak for themselves, as well as personal success stories by our staff members on the gentle and effective formulation of all Di Morelli products. Come in and see us to try some free samples, and find out which product might be right for your skin concerns.

If you have an ailment, Anju’s Herbals has a tincture for it. We love that Anju is based out of Victoria, and all her tinctures, blends, and essential oils are handmade in small batches with certified organic, 100% pure natural ingredients. Not only is Anju very knowledgeable about holistic health and wellness and offers a free consultation, her products cover many bases.
Seek relief from inflammation with a blend of Turmeric, Ginger, and Ashwagandha in their “Anti-Inflammatory Blend.” Or maybe you suffer from indigestion and acid reflux, in which case the “Indigestion Blend” may be for you. On the other hand, maybe you’re interested in aromatherapy and the benefits of essential oils - Anju’s collection of essential oils are organic, therapeutic-grade and come in all the scents you may be seeking from lavender to clove bud.

If the scent of a 100% pure Canadian beeswax candle isn’t enough to entice you to try Honey Candles, how about knowing you’re supporting a family-owned business based out of British Columbia that supports local apiaries and is committed to environmental sustainability. Honey Candles produces beautiful, high-quality candles in a variety of shapes, scents, and sizes. Their packaging is made with recycled materials, and if you purchase one of their “Peek-a-Bee” pillar candles, they will donate to bee conservation efforts! Why a beeswax candle? The gentle honey aroma and warm amber flame burns brighter, longer, and cleaner than other traditional candles - so you can be sure of what you’re breathing in. Try one of their lavender eggs, pictured above, or come in and see the rest of our selection to see what you’re missing.

Want to dip your toe in CBD, but don't know where to start? 🛀🏻

Island Therapeutics is blending the calming and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, with luxurious scents at great value with their infused Epsom salts and bath bombs! Whether you're looking for a bath soak to relax sore muscles and joints, or for some dried flower petals to spice up your nighttime routine, you can't go wrong. Island Therapeutics was founded on Vancouver Island - just as the name suggests, and is working to bring locally-sourced, handcrafted products into the hands of people who are curious about what CBD has to offer them. With even more to offer than just bath products, like capsules, tinctures, pain patches or balms, Island Therapeutics will quickly become a local favorite.

No stranger to our Instagram, Riversol offers skincare products targeted for sensitive, aging, and/or dry skin; however, many of our staff members have tried and loved their products, which goes to show it is suitable for a variety of ages and skin concerns. Formulated by a dermatologist in Vancouver, Riversol uses a unique active ingredient harvested from Pacific red cedar trees called Beta-Thujaplicin. This powerful antioxidant seriously reduces signs of aging, as well as improving skin’s texture and clarity. Our favorite in their lineup has to be their face sunscreen. With the slightest hint of coverage, their sunscreen applies thick and dewy which makes your skin look and feel hydrated long after the SPF has worn off. What’s best about Riversol, is that they put their money where their mouth is - come and see us in store today for a generous amount of free samples!

For some, hand sanitizer may soon feel like a relic of the past; however, these hand sanitizers smell and feel so good you'll want to keep them around. All Clean Natural products specializes in just that - personal and household products that are made with good, clean ingredients and enhanced with essential oils. Based out of Calgary, Alberta, All Clean has captured our noses with their scents (for a personal favorite, try anything in Orange + Vanilla.) A well-priced, portable-sized spray sanitizer will never be a wasted buy, especially when it doesn't leave any sticky residue behind or, worst of all, smell like a distillery!

Made with Local stays true to their promise of "social impact baked in."

Initially these bars caught our attention with their straight-forward ingredients list (we're talking oats, peanut butter, honey, cocoa, dark chocolate, peanuts, sea salt and NOTHING ELSE!) However, it turns out their commitment to social equity and supporting local businesses makes these bars taste even better.

Partnered with the Flower Cart, which helps people with obstacles to entering the mainstream workforce (like dependents, disability, or previous instability) find employment - so each bar is hand made with care and consideration. What's more is that each manufacturing plant sources ingredients by Canadian farmers, and you can even read short bios on each farmer that supplies the ingredients that went into your bar on the Made with Local website. We never hesitate to reach for a Made with Local bar (try Peanut Butter Brownie for an afternoon treat) because it tastes good, and does good.

"Only supreme elements we wish to have on our bodies and in our homes. Because our bodies are our homes. And our homes house our bodies."

Have you been searching for a natural deodorant that actually works, smells good, and draws you in with cute packaging and witty marketing? Routine is changing the game on natural deodorants. Made with only clean ingredients (as in, you know every ingredient on the list), in an abundance of interesting personalities from Dirty Hipster to Cat Lady (pictured here).

Founded by two sisters in Calgary, Alberta, Routine has a wide selection of deodorants, perfumes, skin oils, candles - just to name a few. Each product is unique, and you can feel good about buying from a socially and environmentally conscious, Canadian, female-owned business.