Meet Shanon Gower, owner of Tahlequah Drug Company, an independent pharmacy based in Oklahoma. Shanon combines her extensive clinical expertise with a deep sense of compassion, working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for every patient she serves. Her unwavering commitment to patient care makes her an invaluable resource for those requiring specialized accommodations, including individuals managing Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS). Shanon goes above and beyond to support AGS patients, offering personalized solutions to meet their unique needs, and she is a proud and trusted partner of VeganMed.
Can you share a bit about what you do?
I am an independent retail pharmacy owner, so I do everything LOL! I compound medications, counsel women in women’s health surrounding menopause and hormone imbalances, immunize patients, and provide consultation to patients with AGS.
Tell us about a formative moment in your life that makes you the person that you are today.
When I was thirteen years old my grandfather passed into Heaven and before he left me he said something that has stuck with me. “Get all the knowledge about everything you can. Knowledge is the one thing no one can ever take from you.” So, I consider myself a perpetual student. I also love to teach which fits right in with constantly learning. I love to teach people the “why”. I believe that teaching the why behind something helps people be more compliant which produces healthier outcomes.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
I have a servant's heart and I love people. I want to help people heal and prevent illnesses as any good clinical pharmacist should! But I truly strive to treat everyone how I would treat my own grandmother and how I would want them to treat my son or grandchildren. I want to
teach people how to overcome the medical barriers of life. I am not a diagnosing physician nor am I a dietician, so it is so important for us all to work together in the healthcare community!
Can you tell us a personal experience that pulled you into the animal–derived ingredients and alpha-gal landscape?
I have a niece and several patients who couldn’t eat at family gatherings without having special foods prepared for them. The more aware I became of the challenges they faced, I started taking notice that the medications were making them feel worse so since I specialize in medications, this is where I can help! I began digging deeper, working with each patient individually to break down their issues and find better solutions.
How long have you known about AGS? How did you discover it?
I have been in pharmacy for over 25 years and have been aware of various tick-borne illnesses since I was a little girl as I suffered from RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted tick Fever). However, AGS was brought to the forefront of science literature in 2009, with the first case being diagnosed in Oklahoma around 2020. I was employed by IHS as an urgent care pharmacist and there was an individual who started presenting with strange allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Northeastern Oklahoma, particularly where we live in Tahlequah, is heavily wooded and known for its outdoor activities such as abundant hiking trails, agricultural land, and the Illinois River.
What was the most surprising thing you discovered about AGS?
No two cases are the same and there are so many people being newly diagnosed who have been suffering for years! I seldom talk to someone who shares their story with me that doesn’t become emotional because they finally have an answer to the history of problems taking medications and random allergies. Most of the time they were dismissed by their providers because there just wasn’t an awareness like there is now. They are so relieved and thankful that you are there to walk through it with them and they are not alone.
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of navigating an alpha-gal diagnosis with a patient?
The fact that every diagnosis is so unique with the varying degrees of sensitivities. We have a few patients that can not walk into our pharmacy during lunch because of the meat from the barbecue being cooked in the building. Then we have other patients that simply cannot eat meat without nausea. So I think the biggest challenge is trying to find the patient's level of allergy and what they think they could be sensitive to without knowing.
What was the most challenging part of learning where to look for animal-free medications?
Time! I would—and still do—ask my patients to bring me a list of the over-the-counter and prescription medications they’re taking so I can start to find alternatives for each one. It was
very time consuming because I would call and or email the manufacturers for each drug the patients were taking to verify the medication was free from mammal ingredients. Then I would look at any other specific allergies the patient was experiencing with any of the remaining fillers, binders, or tablet coatings.
What changes did Tahlequah Drug Co. implement to accommodate AGS patients?
We have a specific over the counter medication section that is mammal-free. We also have a procedure for AGS patients. When the pharmacist checks medications for an alpha-gal patient it must have the yellow “alpha-gal friendly” sticker on it to verify the medication is alpha-gal friendly. Also, there is a flag note that appears on the patient's profile every time a prescription is sent in to alert the technician typing and again when the drug is checked at the pharmacist final check.
What advice would you offer to other pharmacists so they could better equip themselves to manage AGS?
Listen to your customers and build a relationship with them. Join a local AGS group through once monthly meetings or social media platforms. Read the journals and listen to the credited podcasts. I have gleaned a lot of helpful information from the PCCA podcast. Team up with your local allergy clinic. Let them know you are there to assist and be willing to LISTEN to what the patient’s individual needs are, take notes, and make notes in the computer on their profile that will help you make relevant decisions for their medications based on their individual needs.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
At Tahlequah Drug Company we strive to find commercially manufactured medications your insurance will cover; however, if there is not a safe alternative, we also have the ability to compound your medication. Compounding is when we take a raw material and make it into a dosage form suitable for your needs. One example is putting hormones into a topical cream or putting oral medications into a vegan capsule.
Any comments about the collaboration with VeganMed?
I am so very thankful for VeganMed! They certainly have made my job of research much more manageable! The team at VeganMed is prompt, knowledgeable and organized!
If you were an animal-free drug, what would you be?
I think I’d choose Ashwaganda! I could help people relax by lowering their cortisol levels. High cortisol can lead to increased blood pressure, muscle tension, weight gain, bone loss, type 2 diabetes, acne, and irritability. If I could reverse all of that for you, you would love me!
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.
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