What is pharmacy compounding?

Compounding pharmacy is the customized preparation of a medicine that is not otherwise commercially available.  These medications are prescribed by a physician, veterinarian, or other prescribing practitioner, and compounded by a state-licensed pharmacist.  A growing number of people and animals have unique health needs that off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all prescription medicines cannot meet.  For them, customized medications are the only way to better health.

Why is pharmacy compounding important?

Compounded medications fill a void left by drug companies who produce medicines in strengths and forms that are not right for every patient, or sometimes discontinue medicines because they are not in high enough demand to be profitable medicines that many patients still rely on.  

Who needs compounded medications?

Many different kinds of patients rely on compounded medications to treat their conditions, including:

• women suffering from hormone imbalance who take bioidentical hormone replacement therapy;
• patients mostly children who need their medications specially flavored to make them easier to take;
• patients who are unable to take medications orally and need compounded ointments or solutions;
• patients taking multiple drugs who can take them more easily when compounded into a single dose, including hospice patients taking multiple pain management medications;
• cancer patients whose chemotherapy treatments are precisely designed for their specific needs;
• patients who are allergic to binding agents, preservatives and other ingredients in off-the-shelf medications;
• non-food animals pets, show animals, zoo animals, etc. whose unique needs are unmet by manufactured pharmaceuticals