Compounding is the Art and Science of Creating Personalised Medications
Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalised medications for patients. Compounded medications are “made from scratch” – individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customise a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs.
A Brief History of Compounding
At one time, nearly all prescriptions were compounded. With the advent of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s and ‘60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms, and most pharmacists no longer were trained to compound medications. However, the “one-size-fits-all” nature of many mass-produced medications meant that some patients’ needs were not being met.
Innovative Compounding Technology & Techniques Meet Patient Needs
Fortunately, compounding has experienced a resurgence as modern technology and innovative techniques and research have allowed more pharmacists to customise medications to meet specific patient needs.
Now, with comprehensive compounding training, our pharmacists can personalise medicine for patients who need specific:
- Strengths
- Dosage forms
- Flavours
- Ingredients excluded from medications due to allergies or other sensitivities
Dosage forms available to be prepared include gels, transdermal creams, lotions, suspensions, liquids, capsules, troches, effervescent powders, suppositories and lollipops. We match the medication with the patient’s needs, and will formulate a product in a compatible dosage form.