Richard Rasmuson: A Fresh Vision
Congratulations to Richard Rasmuson, RPh, of University Pharmacy in Salt Lake City, Utah, for being named PCCA's December Compounding Pharmacist of the Month.
University Pharmacy has been serving the Salt Lake City community since 1954, and has been owned by Richard Rasmuson, RPh, since 1977. “We assumed ownership of the business on April Fool's Day in 1977. It was a joke between us as to which one was the fool, the buyer or the seller. Buying University Pharmacy has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I enjoyed everything about pharmacy – except third-party plans – with every day bringing an exciting new challenge and adventure.”
Richard has been compounding for approximately 20 years, and has been a PCCA member since 1988. “PCCA has given us a fresh vision of just what compounding is and con become, as well as a very sober look at the responsibilities we have to our patients as we compound.” Richard says that PCCA has made a tremendous impact on his business. “Being a PCCA member has a variety of benefits, but the key benefit is the depth and breadth of PCCA support. Also, the opportunities PCCA provides for member networking are invaluable. The remarkable caliber of fellow pharmacists in PCCA is a huge asset for PCCA and its members.
Solving Problems
“We prepare a great variety of compounds, lots of BHRT and dermatological preparations. One-half of our compounding is Vet related. Recently we have been pleased to be involved in treating our patients' pain with transdermal gels, and expect that part of our practice to grow. Essentially, we strive to provide whatever our patients and physicians need. A problem successfully solved, almost always brings, not only repeat business, bu requests for other solutions. It just keeps growing. Over the years we have found that we are most successful if we use our physicians' ideas and needs for therapy rather thean trying to cold-sell them on the idea of a specific compound.”
Over the years, Richard has tried a variety of marketing methods. “We send direct mail that includes coupons and information about our services to all of the people that move into our area. That mailing, plus word-of-mouth advertising, provide us with a steady influx of new patients. Our on-hold message has also been a hit. We don't like to put anyone on hold, but it is an opportunity to let the person know haw we might be of service. Our excellent staff then works hard to give the best service possible.”
Richard's most unusual request was to compound trimethoprin/sulfamethoxazole for a hippopotamus at the Salt Lake City Hogle Zoo. The dose was the size of a softball and “You just don't walk up to a hippo and push something in his mouth,” Richard says. “It must be left in his enclosure; he won't touch it unless it looks and tastes like food. We tried all kinds of flavors with little success until my daughter, Tiffany, and I decided not to leave the lab until we found the correct combination of flavors. Several hours, and many attempts later we had a flavor that masked the bitterness and tasted pretty good. Canned pumpkin pie filling with several flavor modifications was the answer.”
Lab & Equipment
“We started compounding on two feet of counter space. We soon tore out some shelving and made a mini five-foot compounding lab which was small but very efficient. Later we enlarged the compounding area to 6'x10' which is still very small but we were able to grow our business to 40 compounds a day using that lab. We remodeled our pharmacy last December and the lab is three times as big.”
It now appears that Richard will need to enlarge once again. “I'm an equipment junkie,” he says. “I can find no good reason to skimp on equipment when it allows us to prepare elegant and effective compounds. Our electronic mortar & pestle and ointment mill, which we could not get along without, are used throughout the day. We prepare lots of creams and transdermals which we dispense in tubes when it is practical. This is made possible by our tube sealer which helps us make a very professional looking product. The homogenizer has also helped us move many of our finished compounds from looking good to being elegant.”