With the increasing popularity of compounding medication, more and more people are searching for pharmacies that offer this service. A compounding pharmacy is not the same as a retail pharmacy that sells commercially-produced medicines. A compounding pharmacy provides customized medications by mixing or altering ingredients to meet the specific needs of a patient. Unlike large pharmaceutical companies that produce one-size-fits-all drugs, compounding pharmacies create tailored medications. The purpose of compounding is to get access to discontinued medication, alter the dosage, or remove allergy-causing ingredients. For instance, a person is allergic to lactose or dyes present in commercial mediation. A compounding pharmacist can remove that allergy-causing ingredient to make the medicine safe for consumption. Likewise, some patients need medicine in another form. In that case, compounding can alter the form by creating the same formula as a tablet, flavored syrup, or ointment.
Compounding medication offers several benefits. However, it is important to find a qualified pharmacist to ensure the safety of medications. Compounding pharmacies are a vital part of the healthcare system as they create medications that meet a specific patient’s needs. However, unlike commercial medications, compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. And due to this reason, finding a reliable compounding pharmacy becomes crucial. Any licensed pharmacy can provide compounded medications. But to ensure the effectiveness and safety of medications, it’s important to choose a pharmacy specializing in compounding. With that in mind, here are some things to consider when looking for a compounding pharmacy to get customized medications.
Accreditation
Compounding is a specialized process of producing medications that require knowledge of combing ingredients, the human body, and medical conditions. To accurately mix and combine ingredients, compounding pharmacists need extensive training and experience. When searching for compound medication, find out the licensing requirements for compounding pharmacists in your state. The pharmacy you choose should be licensed and accredited by a relevant organization such as the PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) which certifies compounding pharmacies. The PCAB is responsible for setting standards and only those pharmacies that comply with these standards are given accreditation.
Trained & Qualified Pharmacist
When researching a pharmacy, you should find out what type of training and qualification their pharmacists have. It is similar to how you choose a doctor. You can find several doctors but you prefer a specialist who has extensive experience in the particular health condition you’re dealing with. Similarly, you need to find a pharmacist who is trained and experienced in compounding. Find out what type of certification and training the professional has obtained to create compounding formulas.
Manufacturing Process
Once you gather relevant information about the licensing and qualification of the pharmacist, the next important thing is the manufacturing process. You can check the website of the pharmacy or visit personally to find out what type of labs they have set up. A reliable compound pharmacy has state-of-art laboratories for producing safe medications. Make sure they are using the highest quality medical ingredients and advanced tools for creating the drugs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions like where you source ingredients and if they perform batch testing in-house or with an external batch testing agency. Batch testing is crucial for compounded prescriptions to ensure their safety and compliance. The best compounding pharmacy has sterile labs where medications are prepared in a controlled environment with the lowest possible pollutants.
