February 2020

A one-size-fits-all approach to medications doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need a prescription tailored to your personal health needs. Perhaps you need a different form of the medication or have an allergy to an ingredient in the standard formulation. That’s where compounding comes in.

A compounding pharmacy is a smart choice when you need customized prescriptions. Over 85 percent of community pharmacies provide some type of compounding, according to the National Community Pharmacy Survey.

Here’s a look at the specialty services and advantages compounding pharmacies offer that regular pharmacies do not.

1. Compounding pharmacists have additional training. Professional compounding is complex and involves more than simply diluting existing  medications or mixing powders with bases. Compounding pharmacists are highly skilled, according to the North Carolina Medical Journal. They must consider chemical properties to prepare effective, safe medications. A clinical compounding pharmacist is an expert at choosing the best form and dosage and creating precise formulations for patients.

2. Compounding pharmacies have specialized tools and facilities. Compounding pharmacies feature equipment — such as balances, applicators, dispensers and mixing materials — that not all pharmacies possess. To prevent cross contamination, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities requires that compounding is performed in a separate space specifically designated for compounded prescriptions.

3. Compounding pharmacies create medications suited to your needs. Whether you need medications combined, require a customized strength or need a drug reformulated to remove allergens, compounding allows a prescription to be created based on your personal needs.

Compounding is available at many Good Neighbor Pharmacy locations. Ask your pharmacist for more information.