New York City is a big place with fast-movers, quick-talkers, and a lot of movement. And when it comes to an issue as personal as infertility, sometimes we need someone to slow the pace and have our hands held ever-so-slightly as we make our way through the process. So, here’s our quick guide to dealing with infertility in a city that moves probably way too fast.

1. Step one: Research. It may seem like an obvious first step in dealing with infertility, but to many, it’s not. You’ll want to do some of your own research to find out why you’re not able to conceive. Get your computer out, talk to fertility experts, etc.
2. Step two: Seek advice on where to get the best treatment in New York City. You’d be surprised if you open up about the topic how many friends of friends you may know who have dealt with infertility and can share advice. Having someone you know who is familiar with the New York infertility pharmacies and doctors will help you a lot.
3. Step three: Prepare yourself. There’s always risks associated with infertility treatment and no matter what happens at the end of the tunnel, you should be ready to embrace the results at the of your fertility journey.
4. Bonus Step: Fertility problems can be one the most difficult medical challenges on an emotional level. Keeping a positive attitude is helpful in getting through the emotional challenges of infertility. Some some that means stepping outside the city to get some fresh air and a more zen state of mind.

New York has dozens of qualified fertility clinics, with some being the best fertility clinics in the world. That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a treatment that works, but there is one thing certain every fertility treatments are a major investment financially and emotionally. Always remember that you can only do so much, so prepare yourself emotionally for any chance of unsuccessful fertility treatments that may be coming your way. For some, that means knowing in advance how much you are willing to invest in your fertility journey, and what kinds of treatments you’re willing to do.

Thanks to advances in science we have created a solution to every family out there who can’t have their own family; there’s meditation, In Vitro, surrogacy, and adoption. Each of those processes could be tedious and require extreme patience. If you chose the IVF route, and you’re lucky if on your first treatment, everything goes perfectly. But for some, there are health risks and even more unsuccessful treatments sorting out to adoption.

Don’t rely solely on fertility treatments — you also have to do your part by keeping a good physical and emotional health. Patients who have generally good health and take care of themselves before and after their treatment are more likely to succeed in the treatment. And, obviously, those who don’t take care of their bodies before and after the treatments can’t expect the same results.

A final tip: Reach out and seek support from fertility support groups like:

• Women’s Infertility Support Group
  Surviving and Thriving with Infertility
  RESOLVE Fertility/ART support group
  Mind/Body for Infertility

Being a part of these kinds of groups will help you along the way of accepting and understanding and maybe this time start figuring out how to live a healthy life, they are the ones who will pave you the way of understanding that there maybe other good healthy options other than trying out the treatment 27 times. It doesn’t hurt to talk about what you are going through to the people who are also going through the same thing.

Specialty Pharmacies focus on specialty and rare medications that treat infertility, Chrons disease, HIV, HEP C, and other illnesses. In 2016, pharmacies dispensed about $115 billion in specialty drugs, according to industry expert Adam Fein, PhD, President of Pembroke Consulting, Inc. and CEO of the Drug Channels Institute, a blog that provides analysis of pharmaceutical economics and distribution trends.

And while the specialty pharmacy industry is rising, with some estimates targeted to $240 by the end of 2017, the industry is shrinking, with fewer and fewer specialty pharmacies to chose from outside of the big box chains.

“In New York especially, we’re seeing many specialty pharmacies in NYC disappear,” says owner Ron DelGaudio. “With fewer savings programs from the pharma companies, it’s harder to compete with the big box chains.” In addition, some drug manufacturers are launching specialty drugs with narrow distribution networks, often to fewer than 25 pharmacies. Those pharmacies are usually larger ones, making it increasingly difficult for low-cost pharmacies to compete.

In the past, specialty pharmacies in NY could apply for “loyalty” programs from companies like Merck and Phizer. Now those cost-savings opportunities are also fewer and further between.

Local pharmacies are having to invest more time and money in studying the industry, healthcare trends, pharmaceutical trends, and trends in illnesses, to navigate which medications are most important for to keep on the shelves and reduce operational costs like relocating outside of New York City to the Brooklyn and Bronx areas.

“Over the next years you’ll find fewer fertility pharmacies in NYC,” says DelGaudio. “The box chains will stay, but for special savings, customers will have to look for pharmacies outside of the city.” The other option is mail and central-fill pharmacies, which today account for upwards of 70% of specialty medication fulfillment. That number is increasing yearly. “The difficult thing is that with many of these complex specialty medications, customer care is extremely important — you want to make sure you have a pharmacist who makes sure the drug works alongside your other medications, that you’re storing and handling it correctly, that you’re injecting it correctly — these are services a mail pharmacy will find more difficult to provide,” says Ronda Lopez, a pharmacist at Kings.

Our main focuses are continuing to improve patient care and keep down healthcare costs. Second to that, we’re constantly embracing and re-embracing the shifts in the market. For those of us in the industry we know that specialty drugs are usually all of the three H’s: High Cost, High Complexity, High Touch. We joke that staying afloat in the pharmacy industry requires the same – High Cost, High Complexity, and High Touch.

For years Kings Pharmacy has been a proud supporter of the New York City Hemophilia Walk, one of the largest Hemophilia Walks in the country!

We want to thank the New York City Hemophilia Chapter and the National Hemophilia Foundation for helping people affected by bleeding disorders in the New York City area.

We’re proud to be a sponsor!

The Kings Pharmacy team at the finish line!

 

Our owner, Ron DelGaudio proudly walking in NY’s Hemophilia Walk.

Dark leafy greens and vegetables supply the body with important minerals and nutrients such as Iron, Folic acid, B6, Vitamin E.

They are packed with minerals, antioxidants and vitamins essential to healthy fertility.

For infertility advice and questions, visit:

https://kingsrx.com/free-fertility-advice/

A recent small study involving older women with low bone density had the women eat 1.75 oz. or 3.5 oz. of prunes per day for six months as well as take vitamin D and calcium.

The control group had the supplements but no prunes. Participants in both the prune groups had no bone loss and a decrease in certain blood markers indicating a slowing of bone breakdown.

The “no prune” group experienced a small amount of bone loss.

The bottom line: Prunes or “dried plums”, which are rich in vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and boron, may in fact, save you from loss of bone density. Here’s to your new favorite fruit!