Dawn Ipsen saved the original wooden Kusler’s Pharmacy sign, and hung it prominently next to an entryway to the store.

Dawn Ipsen saved the original wooden Kusler’s Pharmacy sign, and hung it prominently next to an entryway to the store.

Snohomish pharmacy thrives in a world of giants

  • By Deanna Duff For The Herald Business Journal
  • Friday, April 8, 2016 5:16pm
  • Business

SNOHOMISH — Kusler’s Compounding Pharmacy has helped keep Cheryl Decker’s family healthy for more than 15 years.

She and her husband occasionally fill prescriptions for themselves, but the majority is for the couple’s cats. Kusler’s creates liquid options to treat the felines’ high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism.

“It’s really a whole different feeling going into Kusler’s where everyone is on the same path to make the customer happy. That’s refreshing,” Decker says. “Too many independent businesses have gone by the wayside in recent years because of the extreme focus on the bottom line and stock prices.”

The Snohomish family business at 700 D Ave. opened in 1967 and remained in the Kusler family until 2014 when it was purchased by longtime employee Dawn Ipsen. A Washington native, Ipsen worked as a pharmacist at Kusler’s for more than a decade before buying the business.

A compounding pharmacy prepares personalized medications in the exact dose, strength and form to suit a patient’s needs. In comparison, corporate pharmacies generally offer standardized options.

In 2012, the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists estimated that of 56,000 community-based, independent pharmacies in the U.S., around 7,500 specialize in compounding services.

“Drug companies saw an avenue for increased profits and started mass producing medications to fit all patients with a one-size-fits-all approach. That works for some people, but there are still a lot of community members that doesn’t work for,” Ipsen says.

In addition to addressing unique dosing requirements, a compound pharmacy can modify ingredients as needed. It can substitute or remove ingredients such as gluten, additives or dyes, to which a patient might be sensitive or allergic.

“I have a patient who is allergic to corn and almost all of the medicines that she used were those that contained corn starch as one of the inert components. As such, all of the medicines she needed were also making her sick,” says Dr. Paul McBride, The Everett Clinic.

In working with Kusler’s, the patient’s medications were reformulated. She can now take seven needed prescriptions and, according to McBride, is finally enjoying good health again. Kusler’s is further unique due to their veterinary compounding. It can be challenging to address an animal’s needs via medications meant for humans. Ipsen grew up in Eastern Washington on a dry-land wheat and cattle farm, which partially inspired her additional training in veterinary compounding.

She brings that knowledge to Kusler’s and has served everything from barnyard customers, such as horses and pigs, to exotic patients such as snakes, tarantulas and wallabies.

“We’re still a bit rural here in Snohomish County,” Ipsen says. “We really see animals as part of the family. They have their own files and we find ourselves sometimes making prescriptions for a Fluffy or Gus,” Ipsen chuckles.

Whether it is serving their two- or four-legged customers, it is Kusler’s community roots that sets them apart. Surviving — let alone thriving — as an independent pharmacy is an accomplishment itself in the modern economic landscape.

Using U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare data, a 2014 Harvard study found that over 75 percent of pharmacists worked as part of independent businesses in the late 1950s. By 2009, it hovered around 14 percent.

“I feel drawn to and passionate about this community,” Ipsen says. “There are a lot of advantages to being a locally owned business. We offer personalized service and care about our customers with a more small-town feeling. Also, from an economic standpoint, everything we do returns into the community financially.”

Kusler’s currently averages a staff of 15 including students. University of Washington Doctorate of Pharmacy students spend their final year of schooling obtaining hands-on experience. A former, paid intern is now a full-time Kusler’s pharmacist. Also, a local, Snohomish woman worked as a pharmacy clerk during high school and is now pursuing a university degree in pharmaceutical studies.

Kusler’s national profile is also on the rise. In February, Michelle Frediani was recognized as the national Pharmacy Technician of the Month by the Professional Compounding Centers of America. Also in February, Ipsen was honored with the prestigious designation of becoming a Full Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries.

The landscape of compounding pharmacy has changed dramatically in recent years.

According to Ipsen, new guidelines include issues such as increased protective equipment for staff, better containment methods and closed systems while making prescriptions.

Kusler’s is already well ahead of the curve in bringing quality compounding services to customers.

“We’ve been aware of it (new guidelines) and doing great work to be on top of it,” Ipsen says. “The whole point is ensuring quality and safety. Those are always good things.”

The dedication to providing a quality product and consistent customer service is what guarantees devoted patronage.

The Decker family lives 20 miles away in Lake Forest Park and goes out of their way to support Kusler’s.

“They embody the old business acumen of making sure the customer is always happy. They always answer the phone, are always responsive and available. We’re loyal because we feel connected to Kusler’s,” Decker says.

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