Compounding Pharmacies – Recent Controversy Addressed by Village Green Pharmacist

Compounding pharmacies have been in the news a lot recently, with the awful situation resulting from a pharmacy in New England producing drugs that caused an outbreak of fungal meningitis. Ron Keech, R. Ph., who has been Village Green’s head compounding pharmacist  for over 30 years, was interviewed by WTOP on this subject. In the article, he discusses some of the current misconceptions being talked about with regard to compounding pharmacies, plus the origins and advantages of compounding.

Read the article, “Compounding Pharmacy Gave Industry Black Eye.”

 

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Do You Have Trouble Swallowing Pills?

“My calcium supplement is too big to swallow. Can I open the capsule?” (Or crush it, or cut it in half?) These are common questions that we hear at the pharmacy.

The first thing I ask people is to show me how they are taking their pills. If you are tilting your head back and trying to swallow your vitamins or medications, then you are actually making it harder for yourself because you are narrowing your throat. Take your pills the same way you would eat any food. You don’t throw your head back after taking a bite of sandwich, do you? And make sure that you are chasing them with a large glass of water. Trust me, this will make it a lot easier.

Does the thought of swallowing a “horse pill” still make you gag? Well, there are some things that can be done to make it easier. Continue reading “Do You Have Trouble Swallowing Pills?”

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Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is an all-natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement. Advantages of using bio-identical hormones include the well-known benefits of traditional hormone replacement therapy without most of the unwanted side effects and risks.

Ask your doctor about creating a natural hormone plan that is specific to your needs. Our team of compounding pharmacists specializes in providing individualized, manually compounded prescriptions to fit each woman’s exact needs. Customized prescriptions may come in the form of oral capsules, sublingual tablets, topical gels and creams, and patches.

Contact Village Green at 800-869-9159, ext. 1012 for more information.

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Snowed In? Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Every once in a while, I go through my supply of nutritional supplements, over the counter (OTC) drugs and hand and body items and start checking dates and organizing them.  This is the perfect time to do that.   Start by flipping over all those bottles and checking the dates.  You know what to do if the day has passed.  If you find that you continue to throw out the same product over and over again, it may be time to re-prioritize your nutritional needs.  For example, you keep buying the 6 per day multivitamin, but you never take it because it seems overwhelming… switch to a 1 per day or a 2 per day multivitamin.

Here are some tips to make the most of your nutritional products and OTC :

1. Store these items in a cool place.  The bathroom is not a great place. The constant heat from showers/bath can affect the effectiveness of your products.

2. Check the dates before you buy.  If you buy a 3 month supply of Omega 3s, then make sure the date will last you through that.

3. Read and follow the instructions on the labels. If the product tells you to keep it refrigerated, then make sure you do that.

4. If you have purchased supplements and can’t remember why you wanted them or needed them, contact a nutrition expert or pharmacist to help you sort them out.

5. Same goes for prescription drugs.  Talk to a pharmacist if you have OTCs or prescriptions that you aren’t sure you should keep or throw out

I hope that you have find some time to clean out that cabinet and simplify your needs. And remember – we are here to help you.  Happy organizing!

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Custom Compounding at Village Green Apothecary

Village Green Apothecary specializes in custom compounding of vitamins, minerals and prescription drugs. These individualized compounds are prepared on a nutritionist’s or physician’s orders, like a regular prescription, and offer several distinct advantages over mass-produced bottled products, such as:

  • simplifying a nutritional program
  • providing accurate, tailor-made dosages
  • reducing the number of capsules needed daily
  • typically costing less than multiple individual capsules
  • elimination of non-natural fillers, binders, dyes and other possible allergens.

Our compounds are of superior quality, easy to order and most are covered by insurance plans. A custom compound normally takes 2-4 days to prepare.

Some physicians who regularly prescribe individualized compounds include OB/GYNs, family care doctors, allergists, pediatricians, veterinarians, and dermatologists. An interesting note: prior to mass production of drugs in the 1960s, most prescriptions required compounding by a druggist or apothecary.

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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