Reynolds enjoys feeling of helping others feel good
John Pilati
Franklin Free Press
For Judith Reynolds, pharmacy compounding isn’t just something she does. It’s something she believes in.
Reynolds is pharmacist in charge (PIC) at Russellville’s newest pharmacy, Northside Pharmacy, on Hwy. 43 at the intersection of LaGrange Road. Owned by Jeff South, Northside Pharmacy provides on-site compounding, under Reynolds’ supervision.
Reynolds previously worked at OPC, and she’s excited about what’s happening at her new job.
“I’m fortunate to work with a lot of the same people I did and many of the same customers, hopefully, and get to do compounding again,” Reynolds said. “I know how much compounding works, and it’s a good feeling to make other people feel good.”
Reynolds described the many benefits of compounding medications, including avoiding possible drug interactions. Compounding involves the mixing together, usually in a topical cream base, of multiple medications in the exact strength and dosage required by the patient.
“We can combine four to six drugs in one compound,” Reynolds said. “If you took all those medications by mouth, there could be numerous side effects. By using it topically, there are fewer side effects and you still get the local benefit of it.
“Also, the medications can be localized at the site of application.”
Northside Pharmacy’s compounding currently involves only prescription compounds, but Reynolds hopes to soon offer over-the-counter compounds for basic conditions including diaper rash, mouth sores, athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. Prescriptions are sent to Northside from doctors in and outside of Alabama.
“I’m licensed in Arkansas, Kentucky and will be in Tennessee as well as Alabama,” Reynolds said. “We can fill prescriptions from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Patients can just give us a call and based on where they are, we’ll see how we can aid them in whatever compound they’re needing.”
While unfamiliar to many patients, compounding is hardly new. In fact, until the 1940s most prescriptions were compounded. As mass drug manufacturing developed in the 1950s, compounding declined and most pharmacists dispensed, rather than compounded, medications.
“Compounding’s resurgence came as PCCA [Professional Compounding Centers of America] and organizations provided raw chemicals and powders to compound and newer products like pain cream,” Reynolds said.
If a drug manufacturer discontinues a medication, which often results from low profits, a compounding pharmacist can re-create that medication by compounding it, so even if just one patient needs it, the medication is available.
“Also, if you take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and have a stomach issue or take blood thinners, you don’t need to take NSAIDs by mouth. We can put in a pain cream with compound and a little anesthetic for those patients,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds and pharmacist Tim Aaron work with compounding technicians Kenny Davis and Megan Hovater at Northside’s compounding lab. Most prescriptions have a 24-hour or less turnaround. And in addition to compounding, Northside is a full-service pharmacy with oral medications and over-the-counter products. Reynolds said the personal one-on-one attention she can provide to customers in a locally-owned pharmacy helps build trust between them.
“I worked at CVS previously and didn’t have an opportunity to get to know my customers. Here, there’s more opportunity for that and hopefully customers see me as someone they can trust and call me whenever they need me,” Reynolds said.
South opened Northside in January with the goal of providing customer-friendly service combined with a quality product. Compounding is at the heart of Northside Pharmacy, and growth of his compounding facility will be a primary issue in the long-term success of his business.
South renovated and remodeled the former LaGrange Road Texaco station for his new pharmacy.
“I can honestly say I’ve never seen a gas station turned into a pharmacy. We started work in mid-October and got new counter tops, carpet, paint and closed in rooms to make our compounding lab,” South said. “We have room to expand in the back if need be. And we expect to have a drive-thru window real soon, hopefully in the next two months.
“We’re fortunate to have a staff with a good work ethic, and some have great organizational skills I don’t have. Without their abilities, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing here.”
quoted from here
Franklin Free Press
For Judith Reynolds, pharmacy compounding isn’t just something she does. It’s something she believes in.
Reynolds is pharmacist in charge (PIC) at Russellville’s newest pharmacy, Northside Pharmacy, on Hwy. 43 at the intersection of LaGrange Road. Owned by Jeff South, Northside Pharmacy provides on-site compounding, under Reynolds’ supervision.
Reynolds previously worked at OPC, and she’s excited about what’s happening at her new job.
“I’m fortunate to work with a lot of the same people I did and many of the same customers, hopefully, and get to do compounding again,” Reynolds said. “I know how much compounding works, and it’s a good feeling to make other people feel good.”
Reynolds described the many benefits of compounding medications, including avoiding possible drug interactions. Compounding involves the mixing together, usually in a topical cream base, of multiple medications in the exact strength and dosage required by the patient.
“We can combine four to six drugs in one compound,” Reynolds said. “If you took all those medications by mouth, there could be numerous side effects. By using it topically, there are fewer side effects and you still get the local benefit of it.
“Also, the medications can be localized at the site of application.”
Northside Pharmacy’s compounding currently involves only prescription compounds, but Reynolds hopes to soon offer over-the-counter compounds for basic conditions including diaper rash, mouth sores, athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. Prescriptions are sent to Northside from doctors in and outside of Alabama.
“I’m licensed in Arkansas, Kentucky and will be in Tennessee as well as Alabama,” Reynolds said. “We can fill prescriptions from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Patients can just give us a call and based on where they are, we’ll see how we can aid them in whatever compound they’re needing.”
While unfamiliar to many patients, compounding is hardly new. In fact, until the 1940s most prescriptions were compounded. As mass drug manufacturing developed in the 1950s, compounding declined and most pharmacists dispensed, rather than compounded, medications.
“Compounding’s resurgence came as PCCA [Professional Compounding Centers of America] and organizations provided raw chemicals and powders to compound and newer products like pain cream,” Reynolds said.
If a drug manufacturer discontinues a medication, which often results from low profits, a compounding pharmacist can re-create that medication by compounding it, so even if just one patient needs it, the medication is available.
“Also, if you take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and have a stomach issue or take blood thinners, you don’t need to take NSAIDs by mouth. We can put in a pain cream with compound and a little anesthetic for those patients,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds and pharmacist Tim Aaron work with compounding technicians Kenny Davis and Megan Hovater at Northside’s compounding lab. Most prescriptions have a 24-hour or less turnaround. And in addition to compounding, Northside is a full-service pharmacy with oral medications and over-the-counter products. Reynolds said the personal one-on-one attention she can provide to customers in a locally-owned pharmacy helps build trust between them.
“I worked at CVS previously and didn’t have an opportunity to get to know my customers. Here, there’s more opportunity for that and hopefully customers see me as someone they can trust and call me whenever they need me,” Reynolds said.
South opened Northside in January with the goal of providing customer-friendly service combined with a quality product. Compounding is at the heart of Northside Pharmacy, and growth of his compounding facility will be a primary issue in the long-term success of his business.
South renovated and remodeled the former LaGrange Road Texaco station for his new pharmacy.
“I can honestly say I’ve never seen a gas station turned into a pharmacy. We started work in mid-October and got new counter tops, carpet, paint and closed in rooms to make our compounding lab,” South said. “We have room to expand in the back if need be. And we expect to have a drive-thru window real soon, hopefully in the next two months.
“We’re fortunate to have a staff with a good work ethic, and some have great organizational skills I don’t have. Without their abilities, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing here.”
quoted from here
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