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38 | SIGNATURE MONTANA ot all pharmacies are the same. Big chain pharmacies mainly dispense medications while others offer unique services. Anderson Specialty Pharmacy in Great Falls is one-of-a-kind, serving North Central Montana from Helena to Havre through compounding medications in addition to being a full-service dispensary. Stuart and Kyla Anderson, along with two other pharmacists and two technicians, solve medication problems and meet specific needs of individuals and animals by compounding, meaning they make medications into a form tolerated by and useful to the patient. For example, a young woman had a miserable skin reaction. She went to an allergist and, through testing, discovered she was allergic to processed corn found in many food products, such as corn starch, baking powder, xanthan gum, and most certainly, corn syrup. Her physician prescribed a medication in tablet form, yet her symptoms didn't improve aer taking it. Being in the medical field, she knew to call the tablet manufacturer where she discovered a corn product was being added as a filler to optimize medication delivery. She most definitely needed a customized medication. is is one of many situations where Anderson Specialty Pharmacy can fill a need. ey can make medications without particular fillers in several different forms, such as capsules, which can be made in numerous colors and sizes. ese various colors and sizes can help with dosing schedules. Compatible drugs can be combined into a single dosage form to simplify medication administration and improve compliance. Medications can be formulated free of dyes, sugar, lactose, alcohol, preservatives, and corn derivatives. Medication can also be made into troches (dissolves in the cheek), lozenges, freezer pops, chewable "gummy treats," and lollipops. ey can even be flavored, making them an ideal dosage form for children. Andersons Pharmacy makes transdermal gels, creams, and lotions that allow the medication to be absorbed into the body through the skin. is is especially helpful to those who cannot swallow medicine in an oral form. Transdermal medications are also preferred by some owners for their pets. A man with an amputated leg experienced severe pain when the prosthetic leg would cut into the remaining stump aer hours of wear. Anderson Specialty Pharmacy Bringing a Unique Service to North Central Montana TEXT BY SUZANNE WARING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY MATTHEWS N Stuart Anderson owns Anderson Specialty Pharmacy located on Tenth Avenue South in Great Falls, along with his pharmacist wife, Kyla Anderson.