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December 17, 2003 - Local Pharmacist Makes Appearance on Dr. Phil Show
December 17, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patricia Paget
International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
(281) 933-8400
Local Pharmacist Makes Appearance on Dr. Phil Show
IRVING , TX - Texas pharmacist, Jim Hrncir, has become something of a local celebrity. After recently appearing on the Dr. Phil show, he and his staff can hardly attend to all the walk-ins, phone calls and e-mails flooding his Dallas-based Las Colinas pharmacy.
Why the appearance on Dr. Phil? For years, Hrncir has been the personal compounding pharmacist for Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil’s wife. Mrs. McGraw was so pleased with his services, she asked him to appear in the second edition of “Hormones from Hell” featured on her husband’s show.
Hrncir, a compounding pharmacist since 1980, agreed and was given the opportunity to educate the public about natural hormones and ways in which compounding pharmacists can better equip women in fighting symptoms associated with menopause. In doing so, he opened the door to hundreds of calls and requests from around the country.
“The response has been wonderful yet overwhelming,” said Hrncir. “My staff and I have all been working overtime to fulfill requests from women, and men alike, attempting to get more information regarding options in hormone therapy.”
In an effort to better assist consumers calling in or e-mailing requests for a compounding pharmacist, Hrncir has enlisted the help of his association, the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP). IACP provides a referral service for compounding pharmacists accessible via phone or on their website.
Hrncir knows the requests will eventually slow down but is grateful to Mrs. McGraw and the show for an opportunity to continue to educate the public regarding healthcare options. “The show was such a powerful medium to get the message to women that there are other treatment options out there. I’m happy to see women are exercising their right to ‘shop around’, so to speak. If I, or another compounding pharmacist, can be of help in that regard, I know the profession is happy to assist in their needs.”
About Jim Hrncir and Las Colinas Pharmacy
Jim Hrncir has been practicing pharmacy for over 20 years. A 1979 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University School of Pharmacy, he opened family-owned Las Colinas Pharmacy in 1984. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of pharmaceutical compounding in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has received extensive continuing education in the areas of natural hormones, veterinary compounding, weight management, pain management and natural medicine including botanical medicines (herbals), nutritional supplements, homeopathy and lab testing. As a faculty member of Texas Tech School of Pharmacy and Texas University School of Pharmacy, Jim also helps with the development of pharmacy doctoral candidates. For more information about Jim Hrncir or Las Colinas Pharmacy, visit http://lascolinaspharmacy.com/index.htm.
About IACP
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) is an international, non-profit association established in 1991 to protect, promote and advance the art and science of pharmacy compounding. Compounding is the ability to prepare unique, unavailable or more pleasant dosage forms of drugs and is the basis of the profession of pharmacy. In providing alternatives to the patient, with a doctor’s prescription, compounding pharmacists have been instrumental in assisting in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, as well as other areas such as veterinary and hospice care, chronic pain management, and many more. For more information, visit http://www.iacprx.org/ or call 800-927-4227.
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November 25, 2003 - Pharmacists, Vets, Pet Owners Fight FDA on Veterinary Regulations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2003
Contact: Patricia Paget
International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
281-933-8400
Pharmacists, Vets, Pet Owners Fight FDA on Veterinary Regulations
HOUSTON, TX - Pharmacists who prepare customized medicine, with the aid of their member organization, the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), have begun a campaign requesting the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine withdraw a compliance policy guide that bans pharmacists and veterinarians from preparing custom medications from bulk drugs for companion animals.
The recently issued guide prohibits all compounding for animals from bulk pharmaceutical ingredients, a standard that is much more restrictive than FDA’s policies governing compounding for human patients. In addition, the policy guide was revised and subsequently issued without a comment period, contrary to FDA’s normal good guidance practices.
“This policy guide would significantly restrict pharmacists and veterinarians from properly treating animals,” said IACP Executive Director L.D. King. “We must let FDA know that our pet population will needlessly suffer if the present policy is adopted.”
To that end, IACP has embarked on a nationwide grassroots effort to communicate the importance of withdrawing this policy guide and revising it with a comment period to address this important issue. To date, more than 1,000 letters from concerned pharmacists, veterinarians and animal owners have been faxed to the Director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine Stephen Sundlof, FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan and appropriate Senators and Representatives.
Faced with the possibility that her pet may not be able to receive the medication she needs, one distressed pet owner wrote, “Some (commercially available) dosages pets receive are too large and others are too small. This erratic method can, at best, inhibit successful treatment or at worst, endanger the life of the pet. If it were not for the care of my cat’s veterinarian and expert compounding specialists, she would not have received the medication required to live a healthy life.”
A pharmacist noted, “I compound prescriptions of potassium bromide for dogs to prevent seizures. There is no commercially available potassium bromide. I would hate to see owners watch their dog in a seizure, up to an hour at a time, and potentially become brain damaged or be euthanized due to this new guideline.”
Pharmacists, veterinarians and consumers are urged to participate in this campaign to have FDA withdraw the policy guide and engage in a formal public comments process before any policy guide is reissued. To assist in this grassroots effort, please call IACP at 281-933-8400.
About IACP:
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) is an international, non-profit association established in 1991 to protect, promote and advance the art and science of pharmacy compounding. IACP provides support to more than 1,800 members through programs and services including third-party advocacy, government representation, regulatory analysis, public relations support, referral services, literature searches, and a fellowship program. For more information, visit http://www.iacprx.org/.
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July 2, 2003 - Pharmacist Advocacy Group Publishes Safety Alert
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2003
Contact: Patricia Paget
International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
800-927-4227
PHARMACIST ADVOCACY GROUP PUBLISHES SAFETY ALERT
HOUSTON, TX - The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of pharmacists who prepare customized medications, announces that it will publish a safety alert in this month’s issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding.
“Hazard Alert: Compounding with Hazardous and/or Potent Pharmaceuticals” defines hazardous and potent pharmaceuticals and the nature of risks posed by these substances, then presents safe and acceptable methods that should be applied to compounding pharmacies handling such substances.
“The Hazard Alert contains invaluable information, including safety guidelines essential in keeping with methods that are currently used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry,” said Eric Vidrine, chair of IACP’s Safe Handling of Hazardous and/or Potent Pharmaceuticals committee. “We want to make sure every compounding pharmacist has access to this information to ensure they are keeping their staff and patients safe.”
IACP conceptualized the manual to address safety guidelines in compounding pharmacies. The organization enlisted the help of Dr. Allan Ader, principal toxicologist from SafeBridge Consultants as well as members from their safety committee, comprised of expert pharmacists in the field, to bring the project to fruition.
“Publishing this alert was never seen as an option, it was a necessity,” said Vidrine. “We cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining the highest safety and quality standards in compounding pharmacy and consequently, assist in minimizing exposure to hazardous or potent substances in the future. This alert is a necessary step in the right direction for our practice.”
About IACP:
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) is an international, non-profit association established in 1991 to protect, promote and advance the art and science of compounding custom medications. IACP provides support to more than 1,800 members through programs and services including third-party advocacy, government representation, regulatory analysis, public relations support, referral services, literature searches, and a fellowship program. For more information, visit http://www.iacprx.org/.
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June 25, 2003 - Pharmacists Return from Advocating on Capitol Hill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2003
Contact: Patricia Paget
International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
800-927-4227
PHARMACISTS RETURN FROM ADVOCATING ON CAPITOL HILL
WASHINGTON , D.C. - On June 8, 9 and 10, over 200 pharmacists representing 41 states gathered in the nation’s capital to participate in Compounders On Capitol Hill, a legislative conference sponsored by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP). The pharmacists met to discuss pharmacy issues and garner support for legislation that would ensure patient access to affordable drug products, especially compounded medications that are used to treat patients with unique medication needs.
“Due to our members’ efforts on the Hill this year, legislators signed on to co-sponsor compounding related bills before the conference had even concluded,” said IACP Executive Director L.D. King. “I’m confident compounding pharmacy continues to make an impact due to our annual visits to Washington , D.C. ”
Compounding pharmacists have spoken on behalf of pharmacy compounding, tackling medical related issues since 1995 when they first started meeting in D.C. to educate legislators about the necessity of individualized medications.
“During the last nine years, we’ve taken the most innovative and professional pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to advocate the importance of customized therapies,” said King. “Members of Congress who recognize the necessity of compounding pharmacy work with us to ensure the safest and most effective medications are available and affordable for their constituents.”
Although the focus of the meeting was to reach members of Congress with compounding pharmacy’s message on affordable medications, pharmacists also participated in an open forum to collectively discuss the future of the practice with other stakeholders in the profession. Participants in these discussions and educational sessions included top officials from the Food and Drug Administration, the Small Business Administration, and the National Community Pharmacy Association.
About IACP:
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) is an international, non-profit association established in 1991 to protect, promote and advance the art and science of compounding custom medications. IACP provides support to more than 1,800 members through programs and services including third-party advocacy, government representation, regulatory analysis, public relations support, referral services, literature searches, and a fellowship program. For more information, visit http://www.iacprx.org/.
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*Photos available upon request.
