The following blog is written by Epicur Pharma’s Advisory Council member Jamie Rauscher, LVT. Jamie is the current president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, vice president of the Georgia Veterinary Technician & Assistant Association, and part owner and medical manager of the Animal Hospital of Towne Lake. Below, Jamie shares her perspective on the advancements in compounding based on her visit to the Stokes Healthcare facility.
From Jamie
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Stokes Healthcare, the parent company of Stokes Pharmacy and Epicur Pharma in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. My tour of their facility was not what I had expected. I was blown away by what I saw.
As a new member of the Stokes/Epicur Advisory Council, I initially sat down and had a get-to-know-you and update session with the Director of Marketing and one of the owners of the company. We talked about new things to come into their world from a pharmacy point of view and the things that they had worked on that they had been successful with in the past.
The Complexities of Laws and Regulations around Compounding
We also discussed updated pharmacy regulations regarding compounding laws. Part of our conversation centered around new compounded medications, like the FIP treatment, Bova GS-441524, and the impact they will have on our profession. There is a lot of misinformation out there, especially because the black market has made those desperate for a solution compromise their best judgment and purchase medications from companies with NO regulations. There finally is a viable treatment in the United States and Stokes’ partnership with BOVA made it happen.
Treatment for FIP is now Available!
Learn more about the life-saving medication and order today!
A Seat at the Table as a Technician
Being asked for my input along with being recognized for my knowledge base and expertise as a technician was refreshing and appreciated. Technicians spend a large portion of their time communicating with owners about the medications that have been prescribed and the best way to obtain and administer them. Creativity is the key more often than not.
When touring their compounding facilities, being able to see the behind-the-scenes part of their process was eye-opening. The protocols that are put in place for sterility and quality control are amazing. Being able to see these things in person gave me a whole new respect for their compounding pharmacies.
The size of their businesses, their growth history, and their continued focus on integrity and quality make me hopeful for our profession.
- Training
- Equipment
- Facility Testing
- Quality Control
- And More!
Witnessing these things in person also allowed me to get a better sense of how the company works and will let me continue to grow in my partnership with the Epicur/Stokes family. I am a proud supporter!
