You Won't Find These Lollipops at a Candy Store

April 7th, 2011 - When there is a need to keep medication in contact with the oral mucosa (lining of the mouth), or when looking for a simple way to administer medication to a child or someone who is unable to swallow, lollipops are an ideal dosage form. We can compound sugar-free, flavored lollipops containing topical anesthetics to relieve oral pain from a severe sore throat or even malignant oral lesions. Doses of topical anesthetics such as tetracaine or lidocaine in the lollipop are individualized based on the age of the patient and the severity of the condition. The lollipop is placed in the mouth for 15-30 seconds, then returned to the child-resistant safety container. The duration of pain relief is typically two to three hours; then the lollipop can be used again. Because there is potential for interference with the gag reflex, it is important to limit use of the lollipop as noted above, and to drink water before eating or drinking other liquids. Lollipops can also be compounded to contain other medications, such as antifungals for oral thrush. Ask our compounding professionals for more information.

    First Annual Denver Rescue Mission Drive

January 10, 2011 - We would like to "Thank" all of our patients, employees, and community members who participated in our first annual Denver Rescue Mission Drive during December of 2010. We were able to make a wonderful donation of much needed health care items to the Denver Rescue Mission's Health Care clinic at Lawrence Street. The items collected were much appreciated by the Mission and will help the less fortunate of Denver receive the health care they need through the upcoming year.

The Denver Rescue Mission Drive ran from December 1st - December 31st, 2010 at all four ClearSpring Pharmacy locations. The stores collected new, unexpired, unopened OTC items including: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cough drops, first aid items, digestive remedies, oral care items, hygiene items, cold and allergy products, and vitamins. We also collected a large amount of general hygiene and baby care items for the general Rescue Mission. Items containing Sudafed, Dextromethorphan, and Alcohol were NOT accepted.

Overall, the event was a success with over 300 items collected for the Lawrence Street Clinic, valuing over $1,000 worth of health care products!

Excellent job ClearSpring Community! Thank you for your support and help!

     HSA/FSA Regulation Changes and the Affordable Care Act

January 1, 2011- Today, the Affordable Care Act will go into effect, requiring a doctor’s prescription for reimbursement of over-the-counter medications from a HSA or FSA account.
Please prepare for these changes by expecting the following as of January 1st, 2011 at all ClearSpring Pharmacy stores:

• All patient’s MUST pay for OTC purchases with another payment option (NOT an HSA or FSA card).

• If a Doctor's Prescription is presented to the pharmacist for a needed OTC medication, the OTC item will receive a prescription label and a barcode from a pharmacist for purchase with an HSA/FSA card. Only items processed as a prescription will be able to be purchased using an FSA/HSA card at the cash register.

• HSA cards will continue to be accepted  for all “behind-the-counter” pharmaceuticals and compounds.     

Thank you for your patients as we implement these changes in order to comply with these new government regulations.

For additional information on these changes, please contact your individual insurance company or review detailed information at the IRS website:

Notice: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-11-05.pdf  

News Release: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=233483,00.html  

Q&As: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=227308,00.html

     Looking for Armour Thyroid? We can help!

December 12, 2010- Many patients are still struggling to receive the thyroid treatment they need with the abrupt stop of Armour Thyroid production in 2009. Compounded T3/T4 is made of a porcine base (like Armour Thyroid) and is identical in structure to the T3 and T4 hormones produced by the human body. At ClearSpring, we are able to compound T3/T4 capsules in a variety of strengths to best match your necessary thyroid dosage. In addition, if you and doctor would prefer an alternative solution, we are able to compound a combination of Synthroid and Cytomel tablets into a single dosage form.