Nova Star Pharmacy

"I imagine this is what pharmacies were like years ago - personal service, good advice, a pharmacist that knows your name and knows his stuff. This little gem is not taken for granted. It's a special little pharmacy that provides excellent care and advice. when I'm sick, I am comforted knowing I can go in and get a good recommendation on something OTC. I also enjoy being able to purchase necessities like razors, shampoo, conditioner, and of course, goldenberg peanut chews. I noticed a 1 star review from Derek Farr. Derek must not understand he needs to speak with his doctor regarding whether he gets generic or name brand, it's not the pharmacy's fault. Such is life with people who do not understand their own role in their care and take it out on a small biz. Needless to say, this pharmacy has all 5 star reviews for good reason. I've been coming here since 2016 and hope they're here for many years to come."

"I’ve never left a negative review for a business in my life, but I feel like I need to alert others in the community to the grossly unprofessional conduct of the owner of this business. I’ve patronized this pharmacy for several years. For the past 2 years, I’ve had a monthly prescription filled here, which I typically pay for with my insurance. Earlier this week, I went to pick up that prescription, but noticed the cost was 4x what I normally pay. I asked the person ringing me up why. She went to the back to confer with the owner. When she returned, she said something to the effect of “you can’t use insurance, we lose money.” “So I can’t use my insurance to pay for my prescription?” I asked. At that point the owner in the back just…started screaming at me. He accused me of “ripping [him] off,” said I was causing him to lose money, said he hadn’t had a day off in 11 years (???), directing all this at me personally as though these things were my fault. He was truly YELLING at me, treating me like I’d been grifting him for years but he’d finally caught me. I told him I was simply trying to pick up my medicine, that I have nothing to do with the policy or industry practices that led to the challenge his business was experiencing, and that it was inappropriate for him to treat me so aggressively when I am in no way responsible for the root cause of the issue. At that point he came up to the front of the store, still yelling, his body language a clear attempt to intimidate me physically. The other staff remained silent during all of this — the woman ringing me up just held her head in her hands as the owner went off. Eventually I asked if it was better for them if I got the brand name instead of the generic I normally get. This was not an option that the owner or staff proposed — it was my attempt to deescalate the situation. Turned out it WAS better for them — ironic because it was the owner himself who convinced me to switch from the brand name to the generic a year or two ago (when, I assume, that made more economic sense for him). Still, the owner insisted this was the “last time” I’d be “allowed” to use my insurance, offered no apologies for his conduct, and continued to treat me like I was the problem. During all of this, neither the owner nor any of the staff attempted to explain WHY the pharmacy stands to lose money on filling certain prescriptions. They also didn’t attempt to provide alternate options, refer me to a different pharmacy, or offer any kind of help or understanding. I did some research when I got home in an attempt to figure out what had just happened to me. I learned that pharmacies do indeed receive paltry reimbursements for certain medications, in part because insurance companies employ middlemen called “pharmacy benefit managers” who dictate how much patients pay and how much pharmacies are reimbursed. It sounds like a really difficult situation for small, independent pharmacies, who obviously can’t afford to sell their inventory at a loss, and I would never fault a business owner for trying to sustain their and their employees’ livelihood. Unfortunately the owner of Nova Star didn’t find it necessary to provide that or any other context, preferring instead to attack and intimidate me for trying to do something incredibly routine (using my insurance to lower the cost of my prescription). I started going to this pharmacy because I wanted to support a small business and build a personal relationship with a pharmacist who has my wellbeing in mind. The owner of Nova Star is clearly not that pharmacist, and I will no longer feel comfortable patronizing this business. EDIT: I was informed by a pharmacist at another pharmacy that what I experienced is an offense that can be reported to the state Board of Pharmacy. I’m seriously considering it."

"Really nice owners, they have everything you could need from a pharmacy and lots of little gifts. Coming here is a great way to support a local small business."

"Best pharmacy I’ve been to. Andres and his team work diligently to provide excellent service and knowledgeable advice. Grateful for them here in Fishtown."

"Best pharmacy in Fishtown proper. Always there for a client. I deprepretly needed a product when I got out of the hospital and nova Star had it for me the next morning. I highly recommend"