What Is A Compounding Pharmacy?

Posted by Total Pharmacy Supply on Nov 11th 2021

Compounding Pharmacy Pill Counter

Compounding pharmacies are a type of pharmacy that specialize in making customized medications. Compounding pharmacists work with doctors and other healthcare providers to create prescriptions for individuals who require medicine made specifically for their needs. The role of the compound pharmacist is to produce medicines tailored to meet patient needs and improve quality of life.

These types of pharmacies provide medications for patients who require a specific combination of ingredients in a specific form, such as ointments and creams instead of pills or liquids due to difficulty swallowing large quantities at once. Compounded prescriptions are also made to improve medication tolerability by decreasing side effects that may occur with regular prescriptions. In many cases, a transdermal cream allows for a more efficient absorption of the active ingredients than an oral medication, while avoiding some of the negative side effects of medications that may be rough on the stomach or other internal organs.

Compounding pharmacies generally offer all of the standard manufactured prescription medications you are used to, they simply offer the additional service of customized medications as well. Compounding pharmacists use the same tools as retail pharmacists but also use additional compounding equipment to make customized medications.

Some of the compounding tools that compound pharmacists use include:

Capsule Filling Machine - A machine to help fill pills.
Mixer & Homogenizer- These machines are used to mix or blend ingredients together into a uniform mixture that is then extruded through an aperture of defined size in order to produce specific sized particles.
Unguators- brilliantly designed to reduce cross-contamination by using a single container for both mixing and dispensing.
Ointment Mills- for a truly pharmaceutically elegant product, an ointment mill brings your compounding pharmacy to the next level. Reduce particle size and increase homogenization and dispersion of the powder in the compound for a smooth, consistent product for your patients.
Pill Counter- A machine to help count pills.
Sealing Devices - A machine used to seal medication in a disposable package for easier handling and distribution. These machines are usually automatic, but can also be semi or fully manual depending on the needs of the compounding pharmacy.
Scoopula - A device with a handle and a spoon-shaped end that is used to dispense small amounts of powder from measuring devices.
Scale - A device used to measure the weight of a substance.
Mortar and Pestle - A handheld tool used in pharmacies before machines came along. It is usually made from stone or glass and has a bowl at one end that can be held while the other end contains a rough surface for grinding substances into powder.
Pipette - A tube with a long narrow end that can be used to measure and transfer liquids. It is usually made of glass or plastic, but may also contain metal parts if the liquid being transferred needs to be heated.
Molds - Equipment used to form medication into specific shapes like lollipops or candy.

The Role of The Compounding Pharmacist Is Evolving

The role of the compound pharmacist is evolving with advances in medicine and technology. In years past, compounding pharmacies were used as simple ingredient and pill dispensers. Modern compounding pharmacies now offer a range of services to help meet the needs of their patients.

Compound pharmacists are an essential part of modern healthcare, where they work with doctors and other health professionals to create individualized prescriptions that improve patient outcomes. Compounded medications can be tailored for specific medical conditions as well as common side effects from medication such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

The U.S. elderly population, Americans aged 65 or older, will nearly double to reach 98 million by 2060, compared to around 52 million in 2018. This increase in the elderly population will certainly increase the demand for compounded drugs in the future.

To capitalize on the growing popularity of customized medication, the regional players are adopting new technologies to make personalized drugs more affordable for patients. It is estimated that the U.S. compounding pharmacies industry share will grow at a steady 6% annual growth rate through 2026.

Using new compounding technology lets pharmacists create medications that are easier for patients to ingest or more aesthetically pleasing compared to traditional medication options. This allows them to meet the changing needs of their patients while staying up-to-date with advances in medicine. Compound pharmacies provide customized prescriptions along with additional services, such as immunizations or vaccinations, to help meet the needs of their patients.

How Safe Is Compounding?

Compounding pharmacies are subject to the same regulations as commercial drug manufacturers when it comes to quality, safety, and efficacy.

Patients should be aware that compounded prescriptions may carry a higher risk of contamination than commercially manufactured medications because compounding pharmacies do not have access to high-tech equipment like automated production lines or sterile packaging facilities.

However, compounding pharmacists work hard to avoid cross-contamination. They are trained to wear gloves while handling medications and use special compounding techniques that help keep contamination rates low.

Most Frequently Compounded Drug Forms:

⦁ Capsule

⦁ Liquid

⦁ Cream, lotion, gel, ointment

⦁ Lozenges

⦁ Lollipops

⦁ Mouthwash

⦁ Suppositories

⦁ Pet Treats & Pet Paste

⦁ Rapid Dissolve Tablets

⦁ Enemas

When Is It Appropriate To Use A Compounding Pharmacy?

Compounded medications should only be used when medically necessary.

For example, if a commercial medication is available in the desired dosage form or flavor but has ingredients that are not suitable for your patient’s religious restrictions or allergies, then compounding may be appropriate to meet those needs.

Compounded medications should only be given by prescription from a physician who understands why a specific dosage form or flavor is needed.

Research suggests that compounded medications represent a relatively small portion of prescription medications, ranging from 2.3% to 12.2%

Reasons Customers Use Compounding Pharmacies

Availability of specific dosage forms or flavors that are not commercially available.
Patient allergies to inactive ingredients in a medication.
Patients who need higher doses than what is commercially available.
Religious restrictions prevent patients from taking the commercial form of medication.
Medication has been discontinued by the commercial manufacturer, but it is still medically necessary.
Patients who find the cost of commercially available medication out-of-reach due to healthcare or insurance limitations.

How To Choose The Right Compounding Pharmacy

Speak with your physician and pharmacist about their recommendations for compounding pharmacies in your area if you think that a compounded medication may be medically necessary for yourself or someone you care about.

Ask your physician for a prescription if you would like to receive compounded medications.

When possible, try to use the same compounding pharmacy that your doctor uses so that they can ensure compatibility of ingredients and consistency in medication quality.

If your doctor does not have experience with specific compound pharmacies or recommends against using them, ask why before choosing another compounding pharmacy.

If you are considering compounding pharmacies outside of your area, make sure that they will be able to ship the compounded medication in a timely manner and communicate any issues with shipping or insurance coverage before placing an order.

Compound Medication Safety Tips:

Speak with your doctor about specific health risks associated with compounded medications.
Discuss any allergies you or your patient may have with the pharmacist before placing an order for a compound medication.
Do not use compounding pharmacies that do not require prescriptions unless medically necessary, as they are more likely to be unreliable and of lower quality than those that follow state regulations.

Supplying A Compound Pharmacy

At Total Pharmacy Supply, we provide the important tools needed to run a compound pharmacy.

Our inventory includes a wide variety of powder fillers, capsule fillers, encapsulators, and other tools that work together to compound your medications quickly and accurately.