The concept of pharmaceutical compounding isn’t new! Compounding pharmacies have existed around for a long time. However, its popularity and availability have increased lately as people learn more about its benefits and potential. In simple words, pharmacy compounding is the art and science of creating unique, custom drugs for patients. A licensed pharmacist can take a physician’s prescription and combine the specific ingredients to make a medication that is personalized to the individual patient. Using this method, the pharmacist can collaborate closely with both the physician and the patient to ensure that their specific medical needs are satisfied.
Compounding focuses on developing a customized drug that is suited to the demands of the consumer. Medications available at retail pharmacies are mass-produced and commercially advertised. While these medications are used by the majority of the population, they do not fulfill the specific needs of many patients. A compounding pharmacy is a specialty pharmacy that can prepare medications prescribed by doctors for patients who are unable to use commercially accessible medications. This type of custom medication is often intended for people with hypoallergenic sensitivities or for children who require a lower quantity of a drug. The tailored compound drugs are prepared by licensed pharmacists to ensure that they are correctly made and tailored to the patient’s individual needs.
Benefits of Medication Compounding
The reaction to the medication isn’t the same in every patient. Some people may be allergic to certain components included in commercially manufactured medications. There are numerous reasons why a person might need to compound their medication. Here are some benefits of using compounding medication.
1. Customization
Many patients, from kids and women to elderly patients may have special needs. Whether it’s hormone therapy or gastritis, every patient is unique and needs a tailored solution. Children are particularly well-suited for custom compounded medications because commercially manufactured medicine forms and dosages are usually not suitable for them. Compounding is all about customization- whether it’s removing allergens or adding flavors. Compounding pharmacists have access to dozens of flavors that can be used to improve the taste and color of medication. These professionals may also combine multiple medications to help patients who require to take too many medications. Customization also enables them to produce transdermal drugs that can be administered topically or troches that can be dissolved in the mouth if the patient is unable to swallow.
2. Minimize or Eliminate Reactions
Some patients are sensitive and could develop allergic reactions to preservatives or dyes that are used in manufacturing drugs on a large scale. Whether you are lactose intolerant or allergic to gluten, a compounding pharmacist will note down the list of ingredients that you’re allergic to and create safe medication. They prepare prescriptions that are free of preservatives, dyes, lactose, and other allergy-causing elements. Besides improving drug tolerance, they can also help patients having trouble taking prescription medication due to dosage. A skilled compounding pharmacist can tweak the strength of a medication or change its form.
3. Access Discontinued Medication
Many factors contribute to products becoming commercially unavailable, such as decreased medicine consumption or declining manufacturing revenues. However, even if a medication is discontinued, there may be some patients who still need that formula. A compound pharmacy with the necessary equipment can create a similar formula with the same active components as the unavailable/discontinued medication.