Compounding Pharmacy

Compounding is defined as the manual preparation of pharmaceuticals that meets the unique medicinal requirements of a patient. A compounding pharmacy creates custom made medicines as per the patient's medicinal needs using appropriate ingredients. They use a variety of tools and special equipment to create custom made medicines.

Thousands of drugs are available on the market in a variety of formulations which treat general and specific diseases. However, some patients require compounded pharmaceuticals due to a variety of reasons. For example, many patients may be allergic to specific ingredients, require an alternative route of administration, or require a dosage that may not be available on the market. A compounding pharmacy plays a crucial role in customizing medications to each patient's need.

A compounding pharmacy prepares customized medications, under the direction of a doctor's prescription, specific to a patient's medical needs, medical history, and personal preferences. Compounding pharmacies then create a formulation to fulfil such special requirements:

• Doses of medication which are not commercially available
• Alternate dosage forms such as pills, drops, powders, liquids, and ointments
• Added flavoring is generally used to make the prescription more favorable

Before 1950 compounding pharmacies were the standard of pharmacies where most prescription medications were prepared by hand. During the 50’s the rise of large drug companies began to grow and mass produce medications in standard dosage forms. Compound pharmacies quickly began becoming unpopular as most large companies provided the medications most people needed. As the change occurred, pharmacists who had the knowledge to compound medications began to dwindle, making it difficult to find those skilled enough to make compounded medications. With an increase in availability of medical technology and an emphasis on personalized medical care, compounding pharmacies are rising once again.

Commercially available medicinal products may have adverse reactions. This usually creates an undesirable effect on a patient's body due to specific ingredients present in the medication. While it may be tolerated by some patients, some ingredients are not tolerated by all. Side effects vary from person to person and depend on an individual’s disease state, age, weight, gender, ethnicity, and general health condition. Side effects may also vary in severity such as anaphylaxis or may be mild such as diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

Sometimes the side effects are so severe that they become more intolerable than the illness being treated. In such cases, a compounding pharmacy is recommended for patients who have allergies or cannot tolerate some of the ingredients used in the medication.

Drugs can be formulated as per the patient's medical needs.

Compounding pharmacies can create dosages of medication that are not produced commercially. For example, if a patient requires a 10mg dose of a medication, but the medication is only commercially available as a 30mg dose, then the compounding pharmacy can create the 10mg dose in a convenient form. This option offers the patient a custom-made dose and prevents problems in partial dosing with the commercial product. Creating custom doses prevents patients from overdosing and allows patients to become more compliant.

Hypoallergenic versions of the prescribed medications can be created.

If a patient is allergic to a common preservative or additive in commercially available medications, a compounding pharmacy may create a hypoallergenic version of the prescription. If a patient is unable to swallow tablets and requires medication in a liquid form, a compounding pharmacy may formulate a liquid dosage form. They may even add sweet flavoring to make it easier to swallow for children!

Compounded medications can be cheaper.

Because the compounding pharmacist has access to pure and high-quality chemicals that often have lower costs, the cost of compounded medicines becomes cheaper than their commercial counterparts. The hidden costs like R&D, designer dyes, and preservatives patented by drug manufacturing companies are avoided, benefiting the consumer.