Area adds compounding pharmacies by Leslee Bassman October 10, 2013
Custom medication businesses increase in west Travis County
When pharmacist Adam Metcalf’s ailing mother needed a prescription to help her bedsores and wounds, Metcalf said he prepared a medicine specifically designed to meet the 63-year-old’s needs.
He created a topical formula with antibiotic and antifungal agents from her prescribed medication. He also added a medicine that would allow the cream to be easily absorbed and increase blood flow.
The nurses caring for Metcalf’s bedridden mother, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, patient, were surprised to see how rapidly she was healing with help from the compound, he said.
Metcalf, with pharmacist Jana Dowling, will open Hill Country Apothecary, a compounding pharmacy, in Lakeway this November. The new 2,500-square-foot facility is one of what will be six compounding pharmacies in the Lake Travis and Westlake areas.
Compounding pharmacies create custom medications, such as the cream Metcalf made for his mother. The medicines they produce are specialized for each patient, he said.
“The population in general is wanting more unique medications for themselves,” Metcalf said. “We are delving deeper into what our body needs and the makeup of our medications.”
Metcalf said that compounded medications are used for numerous issues including hormone therapy, anti-aging, pain management and dental uses.
continue to read here