Lakeside Drug, located at 15840 Redmond Way, announces the sale of its business to Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, effective immediately.

As Pharmaca’s fourth store in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, the company hopes to extend its prescription and health services to more residents in the community.

Lakeside Drug owner Rick Ytreeide will remain on staff as the pharmacy manager at Pharmaca.

To support the pharmacy team, Pharmaca stores employ a staff of licensed practitioners to assist customers, including naturopathic doctors, herbalists, nutritionists and estheticians.

Pharmaca offers expert consultation alongside their selection of safe cosmetics, organic body care items, eco-friendly cleaning products and fair trade gifts.

“While we plan to introduce some new brands to the current product selection, the over-the-counter section of the store will remain largely unchanged,” said Steve Davis, Pharmaca’s senior vice president of merchandising, sales and operations.

Redmond residents will also be introduced to Pharmaca’s range of in-store educational events led by professional health care practitioners on various topics, including relief for seasonal allergies and natural stress management, plus community events such as Spa Day and Healthy Aging.

“We are thrilled to have acquired such a solid business run by this wonderful pharmacy team,” said Barry Perzow, founder and CEO of Pharmaca.

“It is exciting for us to be serving the health conscious residents of Redmond.”

The shopping center where Lakeside Drug is currently located will undergo construction over the next few months. Pharmaca and Trader Joe’s will share the current space occupied by the pharmacy. Pharmaca will use 4,500 square feet while Trader Joe’s will expand the remaining space.

This represents the ninth co-tenancy for the two companies.

Pharmaca’s Redmond location plans to remain open for over-the-counter and pharmacy services during remodeling and reconstruction.

The store will continue to be known as Lakeside Drug until a grand opening tentatively planned for December 2008.

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy was founded in June 2002 and is based in Boulder, Colo. It is the nation’s first and largest integrative pharmacy chain combining conventional prescriptions with natural and complementary health solutions. The company owns and operates 24 pharmacies in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.

For more information, visit www.pharmaca.com.