Healthbr care is not one-size-fits-all, and the prescription medicine we take brshouldn’t be, either. That is the philosophy at full-service Mark Drugs brPharmacy, with locations in Rosellebr and Deerfield, that specializes in the custom compounding of brmedications for both people and animals. Since 1990, they have been brproviding tailored prescriptions, medical equipment, nutritional brservices and comprehensive, holistic health care planning to patients brwishing to take control of their own health. By integrating the brknowledge and treatment modalities of a variety of practitioners, they brhave established themselves as a compounding leader and innovator in brIllinois.
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Mark Drugs staffs a team of doctors, brnutritionists, pharmacists and other specialists that collaborate to brensure each patient’s specific needs are met. In addition to brcompounding, Mark Drugs offers consultations for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, probiotic therapy, weight and dietary management, and pain management. The Rosellebr location houses an 1,800-square-foot warehouse of medical equipment forbr sale or rental. Both locations offer supplies for clients that have hadbr mastectomies or chemotherapy, including breast prosthetic bras, wigs, brlymph sleeves and bathing suits.
Craig Batogowski, Pharm.D., IACP,br is a prescription compounding specialist in the Deerfield location who brhas been with Mark Drugs since 2008, and says that compounding is an brinvaluable resource for patients with allergies or that need unique brdosages. “Many common prescription and over-the-counter medications brcontain fillers other inactive ingredients that people and animals can brbe sensitive to. These can include gluten, peanut oil, lactose, corn or brpreservatives. We create a formula with the same active ingredients, butbr none of the allergens, specifically for each patient. We’re also able brto customize a specific dosage, such as slow release, or create a brlozenge, transdermal gel or suppository for patients who can’t swallow abr regular pill,” he explains. The pharmacy also delivers to Wisconsin andbr Indiana, as well as the greater Chicagoland area.
Mark Drugs sees a number of patients that receive bioidenticalbr hormone therapy to restore and maintain hormone balance. “Men and womenbr both start to lose hormones as they age, including estradiol, brtestosterone, DHEAbr and progesterone. This can result in unpleasant symptoms such as brfatigue, low libido, hot sweats and general fogginess. By using hormonesbr that are biologically identical to the ones produced in the body brnaturally, we create a treatment to meet each patient’s body chemistry brthat allows them to feel truly balanced,” says Batogowski.
br Weight loss is another highly personal process that the pharmacy helps brtailor to the individual. Their team of nutritionists and pharmacists brwork to customize a plan that may include the use of HCG,br a naturally produced hormone that has been shown to help the body brrelease fat in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. “Our comprehensive brprograms include not just hormones and supplements, but meal plans, brrecipes, education and emotional support,” says Batogowski.
br The team at Mark Drugs treats almost as many animals as they do humans.br “We see a lot of canines and felines and other pets who need specific brdosages for chemo medications and other complicated conditions. brMedicated chew treats are popular with many of our animal clients, in brflavors they love. If the animal can’t swallow, we make a transdermal brgel that is applied topically and passes through the skin directly to brthe bloodstream,” says Batogowski.
br Mark Drugs also carries supplements, including their own line called brSynergy Blends. “We see a lot of vitamin D deficiency, which supplementsbr can help with. We also sell a lot of fish oil, probiotics, iron, brmagnesium and CoQ10.br The high quality of ingredients make them highly absorbable and easier brfor the body to utilize. We’ve seen a recent increase in demand for CBDbr oil, which has been shown to help with sleep and reduce symptoms of branxiety and inflammation. Some digestive enzymes contain bovine spleen bror stomach, which can be very effective, but aren’t suitable for brvegetarians or vegans. For people with a lot of sensitivities, we tend brto recommend supplements with rice flour, which is a very low allergen brrisk,” Batogowski explains.
br Community education is just as important as filling prescriptions, so brthat patients can maintain their path to wellness. Mark Drugs hosts brseminars, exhibitions, professional conferences and more, including a brsummer lecture series on the last Saturday of the month from May throughbr September.
Because Mark Drugs operates on a smaller scalebr than other commercial pharmacies, the staff has more time to devote to breach patient. “Part of my job is problem solving. Sometimes I see a brpatient with a diagnosis of a condition I’ve never heard of, and I have brto come up with a formula to match the prescription the doctor wrote brthat is just right for the patient,” says Batogowski.br “It’s an interactive process; part art and part science, with much morebr communication than at normal pharmacies. We get to know our patients brand go out of our way to meet their every need and ensure their overall brhealth and wellness.”
Mark Drugs Pharmacy is located at 1020 N. Milwaukee Ave, Ste. 140, in Deerfield, and 384 E. Irving Park Rd., in Roselle. For more information, call 847-419-9898, email [email protected] or visit MarkDrugs.com.
Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.
