Whole Life Pharmacy, in Dallas, provides customers with individualized pharmaceutical products that have been custom prepared to meet the precise therapeutic needs of each patient. These one-of-a-kind formulations are a far cry from the mass-produced bottles of medicine found in nationwide chain pharmacies.

Dr. Rebeca Gracia, founder of Whole Life Pharmacy and its chief compounding pharmacist, states that her mission is to first identify the problems a patient may be having with available medications and the way they are administered, and then then to solve the problem with a specialized, unique medication or dosage format.

“By satisfying the orders of their physicians and other caregivers with dedicated medications,” says Gracia, “we are enabling our patients, some of whom are at a dead-end with conventional medicine, to get optimum pharmaceutical care.” She adds, “Optimum care is defined as the responsible provision of meticulously prepared drug therapy that results in outcomes that improve the patient’s quality of life.”

In addition to medications formulated a specific potency for patients unable to tolerate available over-the-counter strengths, or therapies that combine two or more medications, customized therapy includes alternative dosage forms. This might be as simple as a flavored formulation to make it more palatable or formulations that are preservative- or dye-free for allergic patients. The unique factor might be such as injectable dosage formats for those unable to take medications by mouth, or suppositories instead of capsules and tablets. Medications may even be prepared as a topical gel, sublingual application or a lip balm.

Gracia is degreed as a doctor of pharmacy, master of clinical science, master of public health and a diplomate of the American Board of Applied Toxicology, with patient oriented

Dr. Gracia says, “We are a family business; most days you will find at least one, if not all of my kids here at work with me! My husband, Douglas, is now a nurse - but was a pharmacy technician for several years. Trinity is 6, Sofia is 4 and Patrick is 8 months old.”

As a clinical pharmacist at Baylor Specialty Hospital, Gracia was well aware that commercial pharmaceuticals do not meet every need. Her work took her into many compounding laboratories, so she could see for herself the varying quality control and sometimes-poor conditions that exist.

Whole Life Pharmacy’s customized pharmacy services also extend to a wide range of all-natural beauty products and designer skin care products such as eye cream, hair conditioners and bath soaks. “We help our patients develop a plan that goes beyond treating the disease,” Gracia notes. “For example, the health of the skin is often affected by high blood pressure. Some diseases create problems with the hair.”

A host of items for men, senior citizens and children are available by mail from the pharmacy’s website. There is also a special service called The Soap Bar, which allows customers to create their own personalized soap. Select the essential or therapeutic oils, exfoliates, therapeutics, fragrance and shape—even the natural color— and the soap will be formulated to those specifications.

Those concerned about custom compounding pharmacies should take note of Gracia’s stringent quality assurance program. “Quality control was my first consideration when I established my laboratory,” she says. “A sample of every product batch is sent for testing to a third-party laboratory with impeccable credentials. Such thorough testing isn’t required by law, but it’s an absolute must for Whole Life Pharmacy’s philosophy.”

Location: 1130 Dragon St. For more information, call 214-741-3332 or visit Whole-Life-Pharmacy.com.