Have you ever wondered if there is a better alternative to dependence on oral prescriptions for pain relief? Or, have you looked for a more effective dermatological outcome than you’ve been getting from over-the-counter products? With these health issues in mind, we invite you to visit a local compounding pharmacy right here in New Tampa to learn more about the world of specialized medicine, such as topical creams that are safely and properly compounded in a local pharmacy.
“What sets us apart as a pharmacy is not only the excellent level of dedicated attention and interaction given to all of our patients, but in addition, we are experts who can offer personalized solutions and specially compounded medications,” says Rasesh Patel, R.Ph., the owner and pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd.. “Topical gels, creams or lotions can improve your lifestyle and make treatment easier, particularly for younger patients, those with dermatological conditions, and patients suffering from harsh side effects.”
Personal Care
Patel says that people have unique healthcare needs. While mass-produced medications can be a good solution for some health issues, the one-size-fits-all approach may not work for every person or every health problem. As an alternative, pharmacists can prepare medications from scratch through a process called compounding. By compounding with technically advanced equipment, highly-trained pharmacists like Patel can customize medications to help meet the unique needs of patients and physicians, to achieve a more positive outcome. Compounded medications can be adjusted to reduce side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, for patients who struggle with swallowing pills, and can control chronic pain without addiction risk. A variety of dosages and forms are available.
“I think there is a security factor for patients coming to The Medicine Shoppe — knowing their pharmacist is invested in their health and right around the corner,” Patel says. “I am proud to serve New Tampa residents and have been here in the community for 11 years.”
Compounded Creams 101
Patel says many patients who are now seeing him regularly and benefiting from better health with no gastrointestinal medication side effects, “did not even know that compounded medicines existed.” The good news, he adds, is that most insurance plans cover compounded topical medications, such as hormonal therapies, wound care, analgesic creams and more. The creams are easy to apply, smooth, non-irritating, and not greasy.
Analgesic topical creams are highly effective for inflammatory pain, like arthritis, as well as the nerve/neuropathic pain that many diabetics suffer from.
“Most joint pain sufferers are amazed that the cream treats pain so quickly and effectively,” explains Patel, who says he has been compounding drugs since he started practicing pharmacy 22 years ago.
Patel is a member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, the American Pharmacist Association, and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the College of Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale since 2006.
The topical application of a custom compounded analgesic cream has many advantages, including that it can minimize drug absorption into the blood stream (to focus on a local area and keep the medication out of the blood stream); block portions of the inflammatory cascade (a series of proteins that can contribute to irritation and inflammation); fewer to no side effects; reduces the risk of adverse drug interactions; no systemic implications (drowsiness, cognitive impairment, addiction risk, stomach irritation, constipation, kidney or liver damage); better quality of life; less overall medication is needed; and compounding quickly provides highly effective acute and/or chronic relief.
For skin care concerns, compounded wound and scar gels, as well as treatments for warts, vitiligo, fungal infections, acne, rosacea and more are offered. Creams for biologic hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), also known as natural hormone therapy, can help patients reach a targeted level of hormones in the body. Prescription-level cosmetic creams also can be compounded for treatment of cellulite, wrinkles, sun spots/brown spots, and for skin lightening.
A Focus on Quality
If reading this makes you think of an old-fashioned mortar and pestle, the fact is that everything at The Medicine Shoppe in New Tampa is digitized for a more advanced product.
“Patients are becoming more informed and I think that is why compounded creams are becoming more popular as an alternative,” Patel says. “Now, patients take more charge of what they want and need in their healthcare. What I would want a patient to understand are the benefits and also that compounded drugs are specially-made on-site, so patients need to choose a pharmacy with strict quality assurance measures in place, top-notch equipment and a highly-trained staff.”
This local pharmacy uses the latest, state-of-the-art equipment to formulate custom transdermal creams and it is certified to meet or exceed the best quality and safety standards for accurate compounding by St. Louis-based analytical testing lab Dynalabs, which tests pharmaceuticals for pharmacies and pharmaceutical drug companies, for potency and purity.
A whole host of advanced technology on-site provides Patel and his partner pharmacists the modern way to create medicated creams, gels and ointments. One example, the electronic mortar and pestle (EMP), blends up to 5,000 times in two minutes. Compare this to by-hand, which mixes only 100-200 times in the same time frame. Patel submits compounded samples to Dynalabs for quality testing from every level of the product to ensure consistent mixing and proper dosing.
Only FDA-approved ingredients are used and every chemical has a certificate of analysis (COA) from its distributor.
And, as a Dynalabs CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) Partner, The Medicine Shoppe has proven that the quality systems in place produce top products, resulting in a higher standard for patient safety. Because of the quality results achieved in testing, The New Tampa Medicine Shoppe also is deemed a “Center of Excellence” by Dynalabs—and Patel says that there currently are only six pharmacies in all of Florida that have reached this exacting standard.
“Advancing patient care is the priority,” says Rasesh. “My role is to make a great product and to explain fully and dedicate time to make sure my patients are happy. I will personally answer any questions you may have.”
Stop by and see Patel at The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, at 10010 Cross Creek Blvd. In addition to being a Specialized Care Center, compounding custom prescriptions, the store is a full-service pharmacy and also offers ready-made drugs, bath & body products, First-Aid supplies, medical supplies (including compression stockings, wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, canes and shower benches), nail and skin care, as well as home health items. For more info, call 907-3150 or visit MedicineShoppe.com and search ‘New Tampa.’
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