Robert Pugaczewski oversees International Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in formulating nutritional and dietary supplements for children and adults with special healthcare needs. Based in , the company has steadily built a national and international following. We recently sat down with Rob to learn about his company – its products and growth – and what keeps him motivated.
F. Kirk Kolodner (KK): Tell me about your company and the audience you serve.
Robert Pugaczewski (): We started in 1995, primarily developing products for the special needs industry: mainly products for children with Down syndrome. In the late nineties, we began receiving requests to get into other areas with genetic issues. Then, the autism community began contacting us. As word of our company spread, we expanded into other areas of specialty nutrition. Now, we sell over 400 different products.
KK: What products do you sell in addition to those for special dietary needs?
: We have a custom compounding pharmacy where we customize and formulate specialty blends of vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and digestive enzymes. Additionally, we have several websites, including www.nutrivene.com, which is primarily for the special needs industry, and www.gapsdiet.com, which supports digestive disorders. We’re also a licensee of Verdure Sciences, which manufactures innovative botanical ingredients such as Longvida Curcumin, which comes from tumeric and has anti-inflammatory properties that are being researched for its use in treating arthritis and . Finally, we’re a distributor for Seagreens, a certified organic seaweed product that is harvested off the coast of .
KK: Are your customers referred by physicians, or do family members with a special needs child find you?
: Actually, both. We get referrals from relatives, friends and the medical community.
KK: Does health insurance cover the cost of your products?
RP: Many of our compounded drugs once were covered by health insurance, but with all the changes in healthcare, most third-party reimbursement no longer covers compounded drugs. Fortunately, flexible spending accounts can still be used. We are also lucky in that many organizations donate to a private fund for folks who can’t afford our products, and then we’ll distribute products that way. Plus, we often donate products ourselves
- See more at: http://dc.citybizlist.com/article/46858/a-conversation-with-robert-pugaczewski-president-of-international-nutrition-inc-part-i#sthash.9uYIC6TW.dpuf
F. Kirk Kolodner (KK): Tell me about your company and the audience you serve.
Robert Pugaczewski (): We started in 1995, primarily developing products for the special needs industry: mainly products for children with Down syndrome. In the late nineties, we began receiving requests to get into other areas with genetic issues. Then, the autism community began contacting us. As word of our company spread, we expanded into other areas of specialty nutrition. Now, we sell over 400 different products.
KK: What products do you sell in addition to those for special dietary needs?
: We have a custom compounding pharmacy where we customize and formulate specialty blends of vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and digestive enzymes. Additionally, we have several websites, including www.nutrivene.com, which is primarily for the special needs industry, and www.gapsdiet.com, which supports digestive disorders. We’re also a licensee of Verdure Sciences, which manufactures innovative botanical ingredients such as Longvida Curcumin, which comes from tumeric and has anti-inflammatory properties that are being researched for its use in treating arthritis and . Finally, we’re a distributor for Seagreens, a certified organic seaweed product that is harvested off the coast of .
KK: Are your customers referred by physicians, or do family members with a special needs child find you?
: Actually, both. We get referrals from relatives, friends and the medical community.
KK: Does health insurance cover the cost of your products?
RP: Many of our compounded drugs once were covered by health insurance, but with all the changes in healthcare, most third-party reimbursement no longer covers compounded drugs. Fortunately, flexible spending accounts can still be used. We are also lucky in that many organizations donate to a private fund for folks who can’t afford our products, and then we’ll distribute products that way. Plus, we often donate products ourselves
- See more at: http://dc.citybizlist.com/article/46858/a-conversation-with-robert-pugaczewski-president-of-international-nutrition-inc-part-i#sthash.9uYIC6TW.dpuf
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