Is Pharmaceutical Compounding Your Calling?
The painful truth: Commercial drugs just don’t work for everyone. For one Ohio firefighter, that truth was debilitating until he discovered the power of personalized medicine through pharmaceutical compounding.
A Life-Altering Injury for an Ohio Hero
Michael Strouse was an accomplished military firefighter, protecting and saving others from fires every day. But all that changed in an instant. During what should have been a routine training drill, an explosion left him with severe chemical burns to his eyes. In a split second, Michael’s life was forever altered.
What followed were six years of excruciating chronic pain. He was forced into early retirement. He could no longer drive. Sleep came in fragments. The constant burning in his eyes was so intense that even spending time with his two young daughters became nearly impossible.
Doctors prescribed artificial tears, steroid drops and anti-inflammatory medications — at one point, he was taking up to 13 different medications. Despite everything, the pain never subsided. Michael lost nearly everything, relying on the kindness and support of his community, members of IAFF and local F-88, and his family.
Time to Talk to a Compounder
When traditional medicine reached its limit, Michael’s ophthalmologist referred him to compounding pharmacist and PCCA member Robyn Crow, RPh, a specialist in custom medication and owner of The Compounding Lab — Clarks Rx in Huber Heights, Ohio. Treating Michael required trials and testing, but Robyn was determined to explore every possible option.
The Breakthrough: Drops Developed Just for Michael
One of Robyn’s areas of expertise is custom eye drops for patients with unique needs. She had never seen a case like Michael’s, but she was willing to try because Michael and his ophthalmologist were open to anything that might help.
Robyn collaborated with PCCA’s on-call Clinical Services team, devised a protocol to create customized drops and consulted with Michael’s doctor, who then decided to prescribe the customized drops. The result: For the first time in 6 years, Michael felt relief instead of pain. Over time, the redness in his eyes began to disappear, and his eyesight started to return. Eventually, he was able to drive again — and even return to firefighting.
Even Heroes Need Heroes
Robyn worked tirelessly to help Michael reclaim the parts of his life that mattered most. She didn’t know if she would succeed — it was entirely possible she might fail. But she didn’t and to Michael, she became a hero.
There Are Many More Patients Like Michael. Is Pharmacy Compounding Your Calling?
Commercially manufactured medications help lots of people, but one size does not fit all. Special cases call for special pharmacists backed by the kind of products and support that equip them to do more for patients. If you’re ready to learn more about helping patients who are suffering because standard-issue drugs don’t work for them, then it’s time to explore PCCA membership.