What is Compounding?

Pharmacy compounding is the age-old art that uses the most up to date technology to bring medications to those patients that have special requirements.   Prescription compounding enables physicians to provide specialty medications to patients with unique health needs.  These medications are a vital part of quality health care because every patient is different and has different needs.  The alternate dosage forms are prepared by licensed pharmacists who has studied the stability as well as compatibilities of these chemicals.

How is compounding regulated?

Compounding pharmacies are licensed and regulated in the 50 states and the District of Columbia by the state boards of pharmacy in each of their respective states. 

How are pharmacists trained in the art of compounding?

Each state also requires that pharmacy schools provide pharmaceutical compounding as part of their core curriculum for pharmacy students.  In addition pharmacist can complete accreditation courses on compounding.  These hands-on courses provide pharmacists and technicians a forum for learning the latest innovations in compounding unique dosage forms.  The pharmacy staff at Prescription Center Plus has completed primary compounding courses as well as specialty courses in human and veterinarian compounding.  The staff also completes yearly continuing education in compounding.

What types of medications can be compounded?

Prescription Center Plus has had physicians prescribe the following medications to be compounded:

• Bio-identical Hormone Replacement
• Pain management
• Pediatric
• Hospice care
• Podiatry
• Veterinary      

• Transdermal ear gel
• Chew treat medication delivery
• Solutions or suspensions
• Rectal

Why do physicians and patients need compounding?

Medication compounding is needed to complete the patient-physician-pharmacist “triad”.

This triad is the basis of the pharmacy profession, to provide medications to all patients no matter what their unique needs are.  Some of the reasons physicians prescribe compounded medications:

• Flavoring is required to make it more palatable, especially helpful with children and pets
• When patient is allergic or cannot tolerate preservatives, dyes or other additives such as gluten.
• Medications that need to be dispensed in another form such as a cream and they are only available in one form such as pill.
• When patients needs a number of ingredients mixed together that are not available together.
• When a approved medication has either been discontinued or not available through the pharmaceutical company.
• When a pet needs a medication is not available through the veterinarian.