HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. /CitizenWire/ — 2012 marks an important milestone for Belvidere Pharmacy. It opened new doors in its new hometown of Highland Park. When owner and President Shara Rudner, R.Ph. took the reins of the business in 1996, it was a typical retail pharmacy stocked with everything from school to surgical supplies. But from the beginning, Belvidere's staff handled requests for compounded, or custom-made, medications from veterinarians, physicians and specialists.
Word quickly spread about the pharmacy's service and expertise. In 1998, the decision was made to drop the retail side and focus exclusively on compounding.
Compounding is the answer to health issues for countless patients: some patients may be allergic to ingredients found in mass-produced medications, some need to take more obscure drugs that are no longer manufactured, or may require a specific dose that isn't commercially available. Others have difficulty with swallowing pills and would welcome a topical or liquid form of their medications. Compounding can meet all of these individual needs, and more.
Rudner always had great hopes for her business. But even she may not have foreseen how Belvidere would blossom over the next decade and a half. The name Belvidere has become synonymous with quality, and its reputation has grown beyond the physicians and patients it served at the outset. As a result, the organization has been commissioned by several pharmaceutical companies for clinical trials.
In 2007, Belvidere became the first PCAB accredited compounding pharmacy in New Jersey; earning it a place of honor on the national compounding stage. It was awarded reaccreditation in 2010.
The pharmacy's new, ultramodern space will bring a host of conveniences and a serious "cool" factor to its clientele of patients, physicians and veterinarians. It's considerably larger, with a spacious and comfortable waiting area; has a street-level entrance; and is easily accessible from major roads and several area hospitals. The pharmacy's new design is contemporary, inviting, and "green," featuring a seamless, metallic copper epoxy floor, solar panels, paper-free faxes and more.
The most important upgrades are those behind the scenes. "We've always prided ourselves on being on the cutting edge," said Rudner. "We offer nothing less to our clientele. But this move presented a unique opportunity: To create a facility that significantly exceeds national standards. And we are thrilled to have achieved that."
The Highland Park facility now offers multiple ISO class 7 compounding rooms; new clean rooms; and equipment designed to prepare sterile preparations. It's all brand new, and eclipses most of Belvidere's competitors.
"With our new facility, we're able to accommodate individual customized medications, as well as any scale clinical study," said Rudner. "Our innovative facility goes hand-in-hand with our extensive policies and procedures."
According to Rudner, the demand for individualized medications is rapidly on the rise for patients of every species. In addition to formulating medications for people, Belvidere also specializes in compounding veterinary prescriptions. The pharmacy serves practitioners and patients from a wide geographic area and the full spectrum of specialties. Belvidere accepts most insurance plans in order to meet the growing needs of its customers.
With its new facility, a new chapter begins for this important player in a growing sector of modern healthcare.
"We're very excited to call Highland Park home for Belvidere Pharmacy. It's a vibrant community," said Rudner. "We look forward to thriving here for years to come."
For more information, visit www.BelviderePharmacy.com .
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