Welcome! We’re different. On purpose.
The Compounder is a licensed retail pharmacy that specializes in compounded medications. Our professional staff uses pure chemical ingredients to make (aka compound) medicines customized for the end-user.
Compounded medicines can be capsules, creams, lotions, topicals, troches, suppositories, oral suspensions, ear drops, nasal sprays, eye drops, and injections.
Some formulas are swallowed, some are applied onto the skin, rubbed into the skin, inserted into an orifice, dissolved under the tongue, dropped into the eye, or injected.
Compounded medicines include a wide gamut of drug products including pain relief, bioidentical hormones, thyroid supplements, erectile dysfunction treatments, and treatments for chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, or arthritis.
We work with the patient and their doctor to make formulations that meet specific patient needs. It’s rare for a compounder to not be able to help both the patient and doctor.
How are we different? As explained by Joel Frieders.
– We do not answer incoming phone calls.
Why? During the early part of 2020/Covid, we noticed a huge difference in how we were treated over the phone. When we said “We do not dispense Ivermectin for human oral use,” many understood and looked elsewhere, yet many chose to attack us for being “sheep”. In a few specific cases, people spent a huge amount of time trying to discredit our business online for following rules handed down from the FDA.
When communicating through text and email, we are able to document everything, which improves communication and minimizes errors. We also notice that people are nicer when they can see a historical account of how they have communicated with us.
Also, gloves are expensive now, and removing them every time the phone rings is a waste of money.
Also, I hate the sound of the phone ringing.
– We do not accept prescriptions left over voicemail.
Why? Medication errors (milligram vs microgram, predNISONE vs predNISOLONE, finger pointing, etc), mispronunciations, misunderstandings, and as a state inspector once said “you can’t scan a voicemail for errors”.
If it’s sent to us in writing, we can confirm who it’s from, what it’s for, who it’s for, as well as when it was received and who sent it.
When we receive a voicemail and someone is “calling in a prescription”, we do our best to type it all out, and send it back to the provider for confirmation that what we heard is correct, and a signature.
– If we don’t answer the phone, how do we receive prescriptions?
Fax, email, escript, paper script dropped off or sent via snail mail / text, or through our RX portal at thecompounder.com/RX – the provider chooses. As long as it’s in writing.
Fax machine busted? Doctor says they can’t use email or text? This is exactly why we created our RX portal – located in the footer of every page – SUBMIT RX.
If all else fails, get a handwritten RX from the provider and text us a picture and we can take it from there.
– We do not accept insurance or any third party payment programs, and haven’t since 1996.
Why? Insurance tends to reimburse based on the cost of the chemical, but will not reimburse for labor or the equipment involved in compounding. We also do not communicate with insurance companies, because we’re busy compounding medications. Also, I have ADHD and cannot do phone trees.
– Prepayment is required for all custom compounded medications.
Why? I have thrown away too many custom medications over the last twenty years, for people who probably had every intention of picking up and paying for their medication. Alas, this keeps us both honest. We aren’t judging your character for requiring prepayment, we’re saving you the hassle of paying higher prices.
– We would prefer not to store your personal credit or debit card information.
Why? Just like you, we get our credit cards hacked every so often. It’s annoying and terrifying when a card doesn’t work because of a fraudulent transaction. This is why we offer secure payment links through Authorize.net, and utilize Zelle / Chase Quick Pay. This way, we receive your order, tell you the price, and tell you how to pay, EACH AND EVERY TIME. Does this take longer? Yes. Does it stop fraud from occurring? Not completely, but it makes us feel like you know what we’re up to when we say “pay me this much and I will make your medicine”, and it keeps your credit card number in your wallet where it belongs.
– Can you take my HSA / FSA / FLEX CARD payment?
Yes. We are in the SIGIS network and can absolutely use your FSA / HSA / FLEX CARD for payment. These types of cards can only be used at other SIGIS registered establishments, so the risk of fraud is minimized since they can’t buy plane tickets or diamond jewelry with your health savings card.
– Compounding takes time.
We are not an emergency pharmacy, and all orders are filled first come (and prepaid) first served.
We use the 3P’s. Prescription, Prepayment, & Patience. We don’t do things right now, we do them right.
– Why do you close at 2:30pm on Fridays?
Nothing good happens in a compounding pharmacy after 2:30pm. Also, we like not working and spending time with our families and friends. I also like cooking things with cheese.
– You are only open for business when I’m at work! I cannot come pick up my order during business hours!
WE GET IT! We can set up after hours pick up thanks to our alarm company (Quinlan Security Systems). We also offer shipping via UPS Ground.
– We are human and do not automate anything.
– We do not fill medications without first disclosing current pricing and discussing payment and shipping.
– We are able to be bribed with sweet treats, pictures of pets, and whenever anyone says “No rush”.
If any of this is unclear, send us a message and I can do my best to clear it up!
love,
joel
This website contains hundreds of pages of content and a library of blog posts focused on topics that address health, life, and living.
Use the advanced search function on every page to find topics that address your life OR
Click the ASK THE PHARMACIST button located on every page to send a direct email question.
If you need to get ahold of us quickly, send us a text message at 630-381-7413!