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This Profile in Personalized Medicine highlights Tony Jones, RPh, owner of Pencol Compounding Pharmacy in Denver, Colorado. A PCCA member since 1999. How did you start compounding? What led you to PCCA? Artie Matthys, a long time PCCA recruiter and pharmacy trainer, walked into the pharmacy, introduced himself and asked if I compounded. I said, “No,” and he informed me that I needed to be compounding. That was it for me. He convinced me, so I joined.
What makes you most excited about pharmacy compounding? Exposure to all the unique ways we can help patients, and having to think about solutions to intriguing medical problems.
What was your toughest patient problem? How did you solve it? I work with a family that has a daughter with a rare disease. Finding solutions to treat her non-functioning immune system, non-functioning nervous system, and allergies to dyes and fillers has been a challenging but rewarding experience. She was bitten by a tick at the age of seven, which went undetected but possibly lead to an avalanche of health issues. We continue to support her family with dye-free medications, and we have to be very careful which fillers we use to compound her medications.
What has been your most satisfying patient experience? I love working with children who have special needs. I have a big heart for parents of sick children and the children themselves. We work with a children’s clinic that treats kids with metabolic disorders. As they age, the dose of the medication required to treat the illness changes, so we are always careful to check their dosage and counsel the parents.
What is the biggest “aha” moment you’ve had as a member of PCCA? Chris Simmons, PCCA’s Vice President of Creative Development— he really has a wealth of knowledge. I’m better at taking care of animals because of his tutelage.
What is your favorite PCCA base, and why? Lipoderm® — because it works for so many of the formulations we compound.
What is your favorite PCCA educational event, and why? The C4 Veterinary Online Course because of Chris Simmons.
PCCA members can learn more about becoming veterinary compounding specialists through our C4 program on the PCCA Education page.
What advice would you give someone who is new to pharmacy compounding? Market your ability to compound. It is the difference-maker.
Do you have a motto or words you live by? Don’t wait until retirement to have fun. Enjoy the journey, and develop hobbies along the way.