Pharmavite
American vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements company best known for the Nature Made brand.
Last updated October 25, 2026
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Overview
Pharmavite is an American manufacturer and marketer of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. Founded in Los Angeles in 1971 by entrepreneur Henry Burdick and pharmacist Barry Pressman, the company was established around the idea that consumers should have practical nutritional alternatives for supporting long-term health alongside conventional medical care. Its principal consumer brand, Nature Made, was introduced in the same year and became the foundation of Pharmavite's business. The company operates primarily in the nutritional-supplement sector, with products spanning vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, gummies, softgels, tablets, powders, and personalized subscription offerings. Nature Made remains its best-known brand and includes single-nutrient products, multivitamins, minerals, specialty formulas, and targeted blends. Pharmavite has also broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and new product development. In 2014 it acquired FoodState Inc., bringing the whole-food supplement brand MegaFood into its portfolio. The company later expanded into women's health through products and acquisitions including Equelle, a nonprescription, non-hormonal supplement positioned around menopause-related symptoms, and Uqora, a urinary-tract-health brand acquired in 2021. Pharmavite's portfolio strategy has increasingly emphasized specialized consumer needs rather than only conventional vitamins. In 2020 it launched Nurish by Nature Made, a personalized vitamin and supplement subscription service. In 2022 it introduced Nature Made Wellblends, a line of combination products designed around needs such as sleep, stress, and immune support. In November 2023, Pharmavite acquired Bonafide Health, a menopause-solutions company, for a reported $425 million, further extending its women's-health presence and specialty-care positioning. Manufacturing and quality assurance are central to the company's identity. Pharmavite has facilities in California, Alabama, and Ohio, including a San Fernando site associated with tablet and softgel production and an Opelika, Alabama, facility focused on gummy vitamins. The company has also participated with the United States Pharmacopeia in the USP Dietary Supplements Verification Program for some products, reflecting an emphasis on independent quality standards and verification. Its manufacturing footprint expanded in the 2020s, including an investment in Opelika and construction of a new facility in New Albany, Ohio, intended to support gummy production and serve as a gummy-focused center of excellence. Pharmavite became part of Japan-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 1989. It remains a privately held company within that group rather than a separately listed public corporation. Its business is centered on the United States, although its brands and products have an international presence. Jeff Boutelle is identified as the company's chief executive officer in the available reference material. Overall, Pharmavite is positioned as a science- and quality-oriented consumer-health company whose portfolio combines a large mainstream supplement brand with specialist businesses in whole-food nutrition, personalized supplementation, menopause care, and urinary health.
History
Pharmavite was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1971 by Henry Burdick and Barry Pressman. Burdick brought an entrepreneurial background to the venture, while Pressman was a pharmacist. The founders believed that consumers needed accessible ways to support long-term health beyond relying exclusively on prescription medicines. Their first major brand, Nature Made, was launched in the same year and became the company's central consumer identity. During its early development, Pharmavite built its business around vitamins and nutritional supplements for the American market. The company joined the Council for Responsible Nutrition in 1981, aligning itself with a trade organization representing the dietary-supplement industry. In 1987, it opened a manufacturing facility in San Fernando, California. That site became associated primarily with the production of tablets and softgels and formed part of the company's expanding domestic manufacturing base. A major ownership transition occurred in 1989, when Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired Pharmavite. The transaction placed the American supplement company within a larger Japanese healthcare and pharmaceutical group while allowing Pharmavite to continue developing its consumer nutrition brands. Pharmavite remained a privately held business rather than becoming a separately listed company. The company expanded beyond its original Nature Made-centered portfolio in 2014 through the acquisition of FoodState Inc., maker of the MegaFood brand. MegaFood's whole-food supplement positioning gave Pharmavite an additional platform aimed at consumers seeking supplements associated with food-based ingredients and a more natural nutrition proposition. Pharmavite later increased its focus on specialized health needs. In 2019 it launched Equelle, a nonprescription, non-hormonal supplement based on S-equol, an intestinal bacterial metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein. The product was positioned for menopause-related concerns, including hot flashes and muscle aches. In 2020, the company launched Nurish by Nature Made, a personalized vitamin and supplement subscription service, extending the business into direct-to-consumer personalization and recurring delivery. In 2021, Pharmavite acquired Uqora, a urinary-tract-health brand offering supplements and products aimed at UTI-related and broader urinary-health needs. The acquisition supported an expanded women's-health business unit and diversified Pharmavite's portfolio into a more condition-specific category. The company also invested in manufacturing capacity. Its Opelika, Alabama, facility, which opened in 2013, became a principal site for gummy-vitamin production and received an $8 million expansion in 2021. In 2022, Pharmavite introduced Nature Made Wellblends, a line of scientifically designed combination products organized around consumer needs such as sleep, stress, and immune health. The launch reflected the wider supplement industry's shift from single-nutrient products toward targeted formulations and lifestyle-oriented health platforms. Pharmavite continued this specialization strategy in November 2023 by acquiring Bonafide Health, a menopause-solutions company. The transaction was reported at $425 million and further strengthened Pharmavite's position in women's health. Around the same period, the company began construction of a new production facility in New Albany, Ohio. The facility was expected to begin production in 2024 and was intended to serve as Pharmavite's Gummy Center of Excellence. Today, Pharmavite's portfolio includes Nature Made, MegaFood, Equelle, Nurish by Nature Made, Uqora, and Nature Made Wellblends. Its principal headquarters are in West Hills, California, and its operating footprint includes sites in San Fernando and Valencia, California; Opelika, Alabama; and New Albany, Ohio. The company's strategy combines a broad mainstream supplement franchise with specialized brands in personalized nutrition, menopause, urinary health, and targeted wellness. Available reference material identifies Jeff Boutelle as chief executive officer. Pharmavite also works with the United States Pharmacopeia's Dietary Supplements Verification Program on some products, supporting its quality and verification positioning.
- 2023
Bonafide Health acquisition
[1]Pharmavite acquired Bonafide Health, expanding its menopause and women's-health capabilities.
- 2023
New Albany production facility announced
[1]Pharmavite broke ground on a New Albany, Ohio, facility intended to support gummy production and operate as a Gummy Center of Excellence.
- 2022
Nature Made Wellblends launches
[1]The company introduced targeted combination formulas for sleep, stress, immune health, and related needs.
- 2021
Uqora acquisition and manufacturing expansion
[1]Pharmavite acquired Uqora and expanded its Opelika facility by $8 million.
- 2020
Nurish by Nature Made launches
[1]Pharmavite entered personalized supplementation and subscription commerce with Nurish by Nature Made.
- 2019
Equelle launches
[1]The company launched Equelle, a non-hormonal supplement positioned around menopause-related symptoms.
- 2014
FoodState acquisition
[1]Pharmavite acquired FoodState Inc., adding the MegaFood whole-food supplement brand.
- 2013
Opelika manufacturing facility opens
[1]Pharmavite opened its Opelika, Alabama, manufacturing facility, later making it a major site for gummy vitamins.
- 1989
Acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical
[1]Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired Pharmavite, making it part of the Japanese healthcare group.
- 1987
San Fernando manufacturing facility opens
[1]The company opened its San Fernando, California, facility, which became a primary site for tablet and softgel production.
Products and positioning
Science- and quality-oriented consumer nutrition company offering mainstream vitamins as well as specialized solutions for personalized nutrition, menopause, urinary health, sleep, stress, and immune support.
Vitamins and dietary supplements · 1971
Nature Made
Nature Made is Pharmavite's flagship and most broadly distributed brand. Its portfolio includes vitamins, minerals, multivitamins, specialty supplements, softgels, tablets, gummies, and targeted formulas. The brand is positioned around everyday nutritional support and evidence- and quality-oriented consumer health. It also serves as the platform for Wellblends and the personalized Nurish by Nature Made offering.
Whole-food supplements
MegaFood
MegaFood is a whole-food supplement brand added to Pharmavite through the 2014 acquisition of FoodState Inc. It broadens the company's portfolio beyond conventional vitamin and mineral products and appeals to consumers seeking formulations associated with food-based nutrition and a more natural supplement proposition.
Women's-health supplement · 2019
Equelle
Equelle is a nonprescription, non-hormonal supplement launched in 2019 for menopause-related concerns. It uses S-equol, a metabolite of the soy isoflavone daidzein, and is positioned to help address concerns including hot-flash frequency and muscle aches associated with menopause.
Personalized vitamins and supplements · 2020
Nurish by Nature Made
Nurish by Nature Made is a personalized vitamin and supplement subscription service launched in 2020. It extends Nature Made into a direct-to-consumer model in which supplement recommendations and recurring delivery are organized around individual consumer needs and preferences.
Urinary-tract-health products
Uqora
Uqora is a urinary-tract-health brand acquired by Pharmavite in 2021. Its portfolio includes supplements and products intended to support urinary health and provide relief-oriented solutions for UTI-related symptoms, giving Pharmavite a more specialized platform within women's health.
Targeted dietary supplements · 2022
Nature Made Wellblends
Nature Made Wellblends is a line of scientifically designed combination supplements launched in 2022. Rather than focusing only on individual nutrients, the range organizes formulas around consumer wellness needs such as sleep, stress management, and immune health.
Controversies
2020
Pharmavite files lawsuit against Clean Label Project
Pharmavite filed a lawsuit against Clean Label Project and related defendants. In the suit, Pharmavite alleged that the defendants pressured companies to pay fees for certifications and threatened litigation. These are allegations made in the lawsuit and are not established findings. The event concerns a legal dispute initiated by Pharmavite against Clean Label Project and related defendants over the alleged conduct described in the filing.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquire Bonafide HealthM&ABackground
Pharmavite was building a broader women's-health platform that included menopause-related products.
Action taken
In November 2023, Pharmavite acquired Bonafide Health, a menopause-solutions company.
Aftermath
The acquisition deepened Pharmavite's menopause offering alongside Equelle and strengthened its specialized women's-health strategy.
Reported acquisition price. $425 million (November 2023)
2022
Introduce Nature Made WellblendsProduct launchBackground
The supplement market was shifting toward targeted combinations organized around lifestyle and wellness needs.
Action taken
Pharmavite launched Nature Made Wellblends, with formulas aimed at sleep, stress, immune health, and related needs.
Aftermath
The product line expanded Nature Made from single-nutrient supplementation toward need-state and combination products.
2021
Acquire Uqora and expand women's healthM&ABackground
Pharmavite was expanding into more specialized consumer-health categories, particularly women's health.
Action taken
The company acquired Uqora and expanded its women's-health business unit.
Aftermath
Uqora added urinary-tract-health products and increased Pharmavite's presence in condition-specific women's health.
2020
Launch personalized supplementation through NurishProduct launchBackground
Consumers were increasingly purchasing health products through direct-to-consumer and subscription channels.
Action taken
Pharmavite launched Nurish by Nature Made as a personalized vitamin and supplement subscription service.
Aftermath
The launch extended the Nature Made franchise into personalization, digital commerce, and recurring delivery.
2014
Acquire FoodState and add MegaFoodM&ABackground
Pharmavite sought to broaden its supplement portfolio beyond conventional vitamins and minerals.
Action taken
The company acquired FoodState Inc., maker of the MegaFood whole-food supplement brand.
Aftermath
MegaFood added a whole-food and natural-positioned platform to Pharmavite's existing mainstream supplement portfolio.
1989
Join the Otsuka Pharmaceutical groupM&ABackground
Pharmavite had developed a major American vitamins and supplements business around Nature Made.
Action taken
Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired Pharmavite, and the company continued as a privately held business within the Otsuka group.
Aftermath
The acquisition provided a long-term corporate parent while preserving Pharmavite's focus on consumer nutrition and supplement brands.
Recent events
- 2023
Pharmavite acquires Bonafide Health[1]
M&A
Pharmavite acquired menopause-solutions company Bonafide Health in November 2023 in a transaction reported at $425 million, strengthening its women's-health portfolio.
- 2022
Pharmavite launches Nature Made Wellblends[1]
Product launch
The company introduced Nature Made Wellblends, a range of combination supplements aimed at needs including sleep, stress, and immune health.
- 2021
Pharmavite expands its Opelika manufacturing facility[1]
Other
Pharmavite completed an $8 million expansion of its Opelika, Alabama, operation, which serves as a major manufacturing site for gummy vitamins.
- 2021
Pharmavite acquires Uqora[1]
M&A
The company acquired Uqora, a urinary-tract-health brand offering supplements and products intended to address urinary health and UTI-related needs.
- 2020
Nurish by Nature Made launches[1]
Product launch
Pharmavite launched Nurish by Nature Made as a personalized vitamin and supplement subscription service.
- 2019
Equelle enters the market[1]
Product launch
Pharmavite launched Equelle, a nonprescription, non-hormonal supplement positioned for menopause-related concerns including hot-flash frequency and muscle aches.
- 2014
Pharmavite acquires FoodState[1]
M&A
The acquisition of FoodState brought the MegaFood whole-food supplement brand into Pharmavite's portfolio.
- 1989
Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquires Pharmavite[1]
M&A
Pharmavite was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and has operated as part of the Japanese healthcare group since then.
Sources6 sources
- 1Pharmaviteen.wikipedia.org
- 2Pharmavite corporate websitepharmavite.com
- 3Pharmavite files lawsuit against Clean Label Projectfoodnavigator.com
- 4Ad Astra Ventures-Backed Uqora Acquired by Makers of Nature Madeprnewswire.com
- 5Pharmavite Introduces nurish by Nature Made® Vitamin Subscription Serviceprnewswire.com
- 6Pharmavite partners with Brightseed for AI-powered novel phytonutrient discoverynutraingredients.com
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