PenCol Compounding Pharmacy Has Solution for Armour(R) Thyroid Backorder

DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - September 14, 2009) - Forest Laboratories, Inc., the maker of the widely used hormone therapy drug, Armour® Thyroid, recently announced it has placed the medication on back order. The company said on its website that it does not have enough of the active ingredient, powdered Thyroid gland, in stock to produce the medication.

"This is going to have a profound effect on a lot of people who rely on this hormone replacement therapy," said Marshall Tobin, owner of PenCol Compounding Pharmacy in Denver, Colorado.

According to Forest Laboratories, Armour® Thyroid is considered a natural hormone replacement therapy because the thyroid glands are collected from USDA-approved grain-fed pigs. The thyroids are processed, dried, powdered, and compounded to produce Armour® Thyroid tablets. Since the amount of thyroid hormone present in the thyroid gland may vary from animal to animal, the T4 and T3 are measured in both the raw material and in the actual tablets. This ensures that Armour Thyroid tablets are the same from tablet to tablet. "The good news for patients is PenCol Compounding Pharmacy has a large supply of strong strength Armour® Thyroid in stock. We can compound to any prescription. We can even compound it down to weaker strengths if necessary. We will be able to fill exact prescriptions for people in Colorado," Tobin said.

Millions of Americans require treatment for hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity); Armour® Thyroid is a type of hormone replacement therapy that differs from other therapies in two important ways:

-- It is not a synthetic compound.

-- It provides both of the key thyroid hormones levothyroxine (T4) and L-triiodothyronine (T3).

"It is important for our patients to know that if they need Armour® Thyroid, we can make it for them," said Tobin. "We are not making a generic substitute. We are compounding from concentrated Armour® Thyroid tablets. This is the real thing."

About PenCol Compounding Pharmacy: Family owned and operated for over 40-years in Denver, Colorado, PenCol responds to doctors and patients needs when medications are unavailable or require modification. PenCol is known for providing personal attention and making sure all medications meet the highest industry standards. PenCol is located at: 1325 S. Colorado Boulevard Suite B-024.

Contact Information: Contact: Marshall Tobin, RPh. 303.388.3613