Custom Rx Compounding & Natural Pharmacy

APPE Type
Non-Patient Care (Elective)

Site Address
6519 Nicollet Ave. S., Ste. 201
Richfield, MN 55423

Phone
612-866-2211 (phone)
612-866-9217 (fax)

Region
Twin Cities

Link to APPE Site Home Page
(currently under revision June 29, 2009)

Main Contact
Becky Dodge, RPh, Pharm D
becky.custom@gmail.com
612-866-2211

Teaching Philosophy

While on rotation at Custom-Rx Compounding Pharmacy, students will learn most of their information by direct, hands-on experience. I believe in the "learning by doing" philosophy. Also, students need to be self-motivated and able to perform duties and make use of downtime without much direction. Students must spend half of their time in the lab and the other half of their time doing other activities and will work directly with the pharmacists and technicians.

Detailed Site Information

Institution
Custom-Rx Compounding Pharmacy is unique in that it is a compounding-only pharmacy. The pharmacy does not fill prescriptions that are commercially available. All compounds are prepared in a lab setting. The average number of prescriptions filled daily is around 30 to 40, depending on the day of the week.

Pharmacy Services
The pharmacy provides compounded medications to both human and animal patients. In addition, the practice includes bio-identical hormone replacement consultations and a variety of nutritional supplements. We also do sterile compounding here, so there is a lot of exposure to USP 797 guidelines. Students will have the opportunity to become more familiar with the art of prescription compounding and develop a thought process to help them meet the needs of challenging patients in their future. The licensed, registered pharmacists on duty are Verne Betlach and Becky Dodge.

Professionalism and Assessment
The preceptor pharmacist will evaluate the student based on the rotation's objectives and responsibilities using the College of Pharmacy's approved evaluation form.

Resources
Custom-Rx Compounding Pharmacy provides ample space to study and work. There is a locker available if the student desires, but they must provide their own lock. There is internet connection on all terminals, a refrigerator and microwave for food and parking accommodations are at the front of the building. Several restaurants are also available within walking distance of the pharmacy. All of this will be addressed in detail on the first day of the student's rotation.

Elective - Compounding Pharmacy

Primary Preceptor
Becky Dodge, RPh, Pharm D
becky.custom@gmail.com
612-866-2211

APPE Structure
Students will work directly with the pharmacists and technicians. They will spend half of their time in the lab and the other half of the time in the offices doing projects and assisting the pharmacist in daily duties. Students will communicate with other health-care professionals and sin in on a hormone consultation. They will spend 2 days in the sterile lab with the pharmacist. Finally, they will do multiple journal/article searches and a presentation to the staff.

Student Roles and Responsibilities
Student roles include, but are not limited to: taking phone calls/messages/questions, counseling, preparing different dosage forms in the lab, providing information for other health-care professionals, sit in on a hormone consultation and perform a write-up to the doctor for recommendations.

Educational Opportunities
Possible continuing education that is provided to the staff at Custom-Rx Compounding Pharmacy.

Other Requirements
The only thing I like to see prior to the student arriving is a little history...where they are from, why they chose the pharmacy profession, what other rotations they are signed up for, what are their strengths, what they want to get from this rotation, etc.