One of the things that motivates me to review on Yelp is being able to highlight amazing small…read morebusinesses in the area, and Gibson's is one of those small businesses that I have nothing but pure pleasure bring to the world's attention. Gibson's is an independent pharmacy located in a strip mall across from Fashion Place. Walking inside, you're greeted with an open, clean, and comfortable space that feels cozy and welcoming. If soda bars were still in vogue for pharmacies, one wouldn't feel out of place here. The staff is friendly with excellent customer service skills. Anyone who reads my reviews regularly knows that my primary focus is on customer service; everything else is secondary. The pharmacists genuinely seem to care about the people who walk in that door with a compassion that is often missing in larger pharmacies. To those who need the pharmacy once every year or so may not care so much where they get their medications. I know that it didn't matter to me until a few years ago when my life changed unexpectedly through no fault of my own. I was healthy and took great care of myself; chronic conditions through injury or illness never crossed my mind, nor did have any clue that it was possible for one person to be sensitive to so many different types of medications, fillers, brands, and even have issues with absorbing certain vitamins. Dealing with such a thing has been more frustrating, embarrassing, and draining than I have the ability to express. This is important for my review because the staff have been very patient and caring as I bring these special needs with me through my transfer to their business. Chris and Char have especially impressed me with their kindness in making sure I'm taken care of. In a world where people (especially the elderly, chronically sick, and those dealing with chronic pain from injuries) are processed through a conveyor belt-like situation--just another money making product for pharmaceutical companies--this is not only refreshing, but brings real feelings of gratitude that could never adequately be explained in words to someone who has never been in that situation. Gibson's does their best to keep prices low for their customers. I was surprised the first time I picked up a medication just how much cheaper it was than my last pharmacy. Of course, every prescription will be different, but that was my experience. Another plus is that Gibson's is a compounding pharmacy, which means they can hand make prescriptions without certain fillers/dyes/etc., create a liquid version of a medication, and take care of bio-identical hormones for better absorption. Other things to note: a very comfortable waiting area for patients, adequate parking and spaces close to the door, and conveniently close to the freeway. They also deliver (for FREE), do immunizations, can test for flu/strep, consult for medicare open enrollment, and offer a medication sync program to help patients get all their medications filled on the same day of the month (which I know that I am personally interested in!). There is a trade-off when you support an independent pharmacy. It isn't 'conveniently' located inside of a grocery store or a big-box retailer where one can do a 'one stop shop', and you don't get 'loyalty points' for whatever store it might be in. They also have less over the counter items to choose from than a big corporate pharmacy might, though they still have a nice little selection. Some other things to keep in mind are that they are not open late into the night and are closed Sundays. Pharmacies do not all have the same distributors, so if you have special pharmaceutical needs, this is something you would want to check first. Lastly, and this is more of a general consideration in changing pharmacies: there are middle-men called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM for short--I recommend reading up on this) connected with your insurance that have a large influence on what brands and prices you get. If you change pharmacies, you may get a different brand with the lower price. Some people don't care, while others are more particular, but it's worth mentioning on any pharmacy review. Humans are creatures of habit, and we will stick with something we know even if there is something that could be better. That was me. I wish I would have done this sooner. Besides everything else I've written about here, I love that I'm supporting a small, local business; which, in turn, supports the community, and keeps prices low in general through competition. As you can see, I'm very happy with my decision to move my business to Gibson's. My experience in the 'Medical Industrial Complex' has made me realize how important it is to seek care outside of that chugging machine, if possible. When you support an independent pharmacy, your business actually means something to them and you're not just a number. Why not see the difference yourself?

My rating is due partly to a very recent handling of my business, but there is a much bigger…read morepicture so I am not going to begin with the most recent, which certainly was a catalyst to write this.I realize this may affect my relationship with this business, if it can be called that. Just out of convenience, Gibson is also a "compounding" pharmacy.I hope not, but if it does, so be it. Let me also as someone who practiced law over 35 years as a Plaintiffs in employment and labor, and politically and philosophically I in those ways naturally at odds with Walmart as oligopoly and the Walton family as multi billionaires.The current heirs worth billions have never worked a day in their lives and pay no taxes. So, why do I shop there? It is not just cheaper prices. My wife really likes people working, checkers, most of whom are probably immigrants. And also the pharmacy. Everyone believes the stereotypes that big multistage stores are distant and impersonal but cheaper prices driving the poor local businesses into bankruptcy. (I also practiced bankruptcy law for many years.) But, the local business were your neighbors, would recognize you, treat you special, make you feel your business is wanted. You can see where I am going with this. I can only speak to the Walmart Pharmacy on Foothill Drive in Salt Lake City. The head pharmacist and other workers know both my wife and I and call by our first name, they have called us personally about vaccinations and given me information and print out of medicine without my even asking. I have been doing business with Walmart Pharmacy for about 3 or 4 years so maybe about a year or less than with Gibson's. I only go there for the filling one prescription because it was relatively new as to be prescribed and my health care provider recommended it. (Let me be perfectly clear. I do not think for a second that my physician is getting back or anything improper about her relationship with Gibson's.) I cannot say and I am not going to check but I am sure I have been doing business with Gibson's, the local family ownedmUtah business, for over two years. It may be close to three. The vast majority of workers treat me continuously as an unknown and complete stranger. Maybe I should expect that. But, after several months, some of the pharmacists behind the counter look at me as to recognize me and never say a word to me when I come in unless I go out of my way to smile and give them a big "Hello," which earns me a grudging acknowledgement. They have been continuously cold and unfriendly to me. I was in there one time and a fellow I assume is a head pharmacist and who ignores me went out of his way when a middle aged woman came in, maybe a neighbor or somebody who goes to the same Church. That makes a big difference in Utah. What happened recently is I understood for a long time, several months, I could renew my prescription on the 15th of each month as allowed by the insurance company. In June, I let it slide for over a week for several personal reasons. This month, July, I called and renewed my prescription religiously on July 15th. Two days later, I had to call back having not received a text from Gibson's that my prescription was ready to be picked up. I was informed the insurance company had placed a "hold" on my prescription as they had without warning changed the date I could renew as I waited to a later date in June. I do not blame Gibson's that they could not provide me with my prescription during the hold, but they could have easily prepared it. Now, here is where the problem occurred and the continuing delay. It worked out that the hold lasted I believe until July 23rd. The 24th of July was a state holiday so they were not open. They were open July 25. Nothing was done to fill my prescription until Monday, July 28th and it was not ready to be picked up until late yesterday, July 29. They could have easily foreseen that the holiday was coming up plus the weekend so I was facing an unnecessary delay unless they gave me some consideration. Maybe I Am asking to be treated special but that is the difference between a business that gets 5 stars and one that gets 1 or 2. Factor in how they have treated me so coldly over the course of my "relationship" with them.