What Is The Role of A Compounding Pharmacist?

Compounding pharmacies are on the rise with an  expected market size increase of 3.2% in 2022. A compounding pharmacist creates customized medications for patients. They work with doctors to determine the best course of treatment for each patient and then create a medication specifically tailored to that person’s needs. The compound pharmacists working in these pharmacies play an important role in the healthcare community, and this blog post will discuss everything you need to know about them!

What Is A Compound Pharmacist?

A compounding pharmacist is a professional who has the unique ability to create custom medications for their patients. They can adapt prescriptions to meet the specific needs of each individual patient. This can be incredibly beneficial for patients who have allergies to certain ingredients, or who need a medication that is not available in stores. Compounding pharmacists can provide valuable assistance to patients who have specific needs that cannot be met by standard medications. Compounding pharmacists are also able to create customized medications for patients who are on multiple medications and need their prescriptions tailored to meet their specific needs.

Where Do Compounding Pharmacists Work?

Compounding pharmacists can be found in a variety of different settings, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. They may also work for pharmaceutical companies or be self-employed. In addition, compound pharmacies may also be part of veterinary care clinics and provide pet or animal compounding services.

It's important to note that compound pharmacies are rarer than standard pharmacies. Of the approximately 56,000 community-based pharmacies in the United States, about 7,500 pharmacies specialize in compounding services.

Who Would Need a Compounded Medication?

Not every patient will need to see a compounding pharmacist. However, if you have any of the following conditions, you may need to see a compounding pharmacist:

• You are on multiple medications and they are not all available in one pharmacy
• You have allergies to certain ingredients
• Your medication is not available in stores
• The dosage of your medication needs to be changed
• You need a specific dosage that is not available commercially
• You require a medication be administered transdermally or in another alternate form to lessen side effects or increase the efficacy
• You are having difficulty swallowing your medication
• You are vegan or vegetarian and need adapted ingredients
• You have religious restrictions against specific ingredients

A doctor will typically recommend a compound pharmacist to a patient but patients can also seek out compound pharmacies themselves. If you are having difficulty getting the medication you need, speak to your doctor about whether a compounded medication may be right for you.

What Tools Do Compound Pharmacists Use?

Whether you specialize in compounding or offer this service to a small portion of your customer base, you need reliable pharmacy equipment for pharmaceutical compounding. Depending on your needs you may want to invest in an incubator and pH measuring tools, but you should also keep a diverse supply of packaging items on hand. Other tools used include:

• A mortar and pestle to crush ingredients
• A scale to weigh ingredients
• A blender or homogenizer to mix ingredients
• Stirring rods
• Spatulas
• Ointment Mill
• Gloves & PPE
• Lollipop, candy, troche, and suppository molds
• Thermometers
• Supplies for liquid transfer
• Vials, syringes, and other containers to hold the medication
• Labels to identify the medication

Do Compound Pharmacists Undergo Additional Schooling?

Compounding pharmacists do not typically undergo any additional schooling. They must have a degree in pharmacy and be licensed to practice pharmacy in their state. However, there may be some specialized training available for compound pharmacists. These pharmacists are typically interested in the compounding process and want to learn as much as they can about it.

Why Is Compounding an Important Part of the Pharmacy Profession?

Compounding is an important part of pharmacy for a few different reasons. First, it allows pharmacists to tailor medications specifically for each patient. This can be incredibly beneficial for patients with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Compounding is also important because it allows pharmacists to experiment with new formulations and ingredients. This can help improve patient care and lead to the development of new medications.