Everything You Need To Know About A Compounding Pharmacy And Compounding Services
If you have never heard of a compounding pharmacy, you are not alone. Here's what you need to know.
What is a compounding pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that prepares and dispenses custom-made medications prescribed by a physician. Compounding pharmacies specialize in creating unique formulations of medications to meet the specific needs of a patient, which may not be available through traditional pharmacies.
What are compounding services?
Compounding services refer to the various ways in which a compounding pharmacy can prepare custom medications for patients. These services may include but are not limited to:
- Custom dosage. Compounding pharmacies can create custom dosage forms of medications. In other words, they can create capsules, creams, and even suppositories of medicines that do not typically come in that form.
- Adjust concentration. If a patient needs a higher or lower concentration of medication than what is commercially available, compounding pharmacies can adjust the concentration of the drug to meet the patient's needs.
- Flavorings. Some compounding pharmacies can add flavorings to medications to make them more palatable for children or adults who have trouble taking certain drugs.
Additionally, compounding pharmacies can create combination products, which are two or more drugs combined into one formulation. For example, a compounding pharmacy could create a cream that contains a steroid and an antibiotic to help treat a skin infection, instead of the patient being required to use two separate products.
What are the benefits of using a compounding pharmacy?
There are many benefits to using a compounding pharmacy, which include but are not limited to:
- Personalized care. Compounding pharmacies offer personalized care and attention to each patient. The pharmacists take the time to get to know the patient and their specific needs in order to create a custom medication that will work best for them.
- Customized formulations. As mentioned earlier, compounding pharmacies can create customized formulations of medications to meet the specific needs of a patient. This means that the patient can get the exact medication that they need, in the dosage and form that they need it in.
- Improved compliance. When a patient is able to take a medication that is tailored to their specific needs, they are more likely to comply with their treatment plan. This improved compliance can lead to better health outcomes for the patient.
- Greater accessibility. Compounding pharmacies can often provide medications that are not available through traditional pharmacies. This can be especially beneficial for patients who live in rural areas or who have difficulty accessing traditional pharmacies.
Additionally, compounding pharmacies are more likely to work with a doctor to ensure that the patient is getting the best possible care.
If you are looking for personalized care and attention from pharmacists who understand your specific needs, talk to your doctor about a compounding pharmacy in your area.
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