I had a good experience with Integrity Compounding Pharmacy in Sandy Springs. I had my compounded drug in my hands in six days from the time I was prescribed the medication. This included a weekend and a weekday that my PA was off (I had an outstanding question to her before I committed to buying the drug from Integrity). Integrity's customer service was good.
I'd never heard of compounded (or compound) drugs before now. It's when multiple drugs are mixed together. Apparently, you can't get them at a conventional drug store or pharmacy like CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Kroger, etc. My PA told me that the compound drugs are mixed and delivered by local pharmacies. She suggested Integrity.
I was prescribed azelaic acid 10%, kojic acid 2%, niacinamide 2%, and tranexamic acid 4% in an anhydrous topical cream to treat a scar on my leg. My PA told me if Integrity quoted me more than $60 for 30 grams to let her know because it shouldn't be more expensive than that. I was quoted $75 (that's what my question to her was about). She said prices must've gone up, so I went ahead and paid the $75. This included UPS Ground overnight shipping to my home in Midtown Atlanta.
Integrity gave me the option to pick up the drug at their office in Sandy Springs. If I did that, I would've gotten the drug a day sooner.
I approved the drug order and paid over the phone this past Wednesday. The drug was mixed by pharmacist KT Tran, RPH, and shipped on Thursday. It was delivered to me on Friday. The drug was securely packaged and came with paperwork including a "Prescription Information Sheet," also known as a "Universal Claim Form."
Integrity doesn't contract with any insurance companies. All customers must pay 100% out of pocket. Through my research so far, I discovered that most insurance companies do not cover most compound drugs. However, in the chance that your insurance company does, Integrity provides the Prescription Information Sheet so that you can submit it to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. The sheet has prescriber and prescription information, including drug NDC numbers and quantities.
I'm still doing the work to determine if the compound drug that I got is reimbursable through my company's benefits plan. It's taken several phone calls and a couple emails so far. I learned that RxBenefits does not offer any sort of benefit. The next step for me is to call CVS Caremark.
Everyone I've spoken to at Integrity has been polite and responsive. I don't remember all their names, but they include Portia and Amber. I emailed Integrity a question this past Friday and they called me with an answer in about an hour, which I thought was fast. read more