There is a specialized type of pharmacy that can produce medications that are needed in another form not currently available in the standard produced form. This facility is called a compounding pharmacy and is still run by a registered pharmacist. This can be a lifesaver for many patients who cannot get their medications any other way.
Compounding was the original way drugs were manufactured and distributed to patients, with naturally found ingredients being incorporated to make dyes, perfumes, and eventually healing components. The earliest concoctions included oils from both plants and animals. Many, many years ago, before the acceptance of more commercial facilities, all of them were doing compounding. This was the accepted method for getting and distributing medications to the people who needed them.
A patient may need or prefer a compounding facility for any number of reasons. Some of them could include allergic reactions to an ingredient in the commercial version and the specialty pharmacist can remove this without altering the effectiveness of the medication. Bioidentical hormone formulations are also popular usages for compounding. Virtually any legal ingredient can be combined to make a unique and specific medication for an individual patient.
Intravenous fluids are common forms that are needing to be compounded and is typically done in hospitals. This is a "traditional" form of compounding and can also include other types of medications altered from their original form to accommodate each patient's specific needs or wants. This also can include oral or transdermal medicines as needed.
The second type is more creative and problem-solving that allows the pharmacist to tailor the med to what the patient requires. This can include allergies, tiny doses for infants, or changing the basic form of the medication to a gel or cream that can be applied to the skin. Children and animals, also, can benefit by having more appealing flavorings added to liquid medicine, or making pills smaller and easier to swallow.
A limited number of these special pharmacies can produce medications that the manufacturer has discontinued from mass distribution for low sales numbers that may have not been profitable to the manufacturer. Some patients find a medication that works especially well for them that they can still obtain. The specialty pharmacy can help them to still be able to use that particular medication if their physician is in agreement.
These specialized facilities must be licensed in the United States and while they are not subject to all of the same regulations of normal pharmacies, they are still held to standards as set by the PCAB (Pharmacy Compound Accreditation Board). However, they are not mandated to to be a part of this organization and are only inspected for compliance every three years for standards.
These facilities can be of benefit to many different types of patients, both human and animal. While most people are able to get their medications at a local drug store or their grocery store or corner drug store, the compounding pharmacy can definitely fill a niche that can be lifesaving for a patient with specialized needs.
Compounding was the original way drugs were manufactured and distributed to patients, with naturally found ingredients being incorporated to make dyes, perfumes, and eventually healing components. The earliest concoctions included oils from both plants and animals. Many, many years ago, before the acceptance of more commercial facilities, all of them were doing compounding. This was the accepted method for getting and distributing medications to the people who needed them.
A patient may need or prefer a compounding facility for any number of reasons. Some of them could include allergic reactions to an ingredient in the commercial version and the specialty pharmacist can remove this without altering the effectiveness of the medication. Bioidentical hormone formulations are also popular usages for compounding. Virtually any legal ingredient can be combined to make a unique and specific medication for an individual patient.
Intravenous fluids are common forms that are needing to be compounded and is typically done in hospitals. This is a "traditional" form of compounding and can also include other types of medications altered from their original form to accommodate each patient's specific needs or wants. This also can include oral or transdermal medicines as needed.
The second type is more creative and problem-solving that allows the pharmacist to tailor the med to what the patient requires. This can include allergies, tiny doses for infants, or changing the basic form of the medication to a gel or cream that can be applied to the skin. Children and animals, also, can benefit by having more appealing flavorings added to liquid medicine, or making pills smaller and easier to swallow.
A limited number of these special pharmacies can produce medications that the manufacturer has discontinued from mass distribution for low sales numbers that may have not been profitable to the manufacturer. Some patients find a medication that works especially well for them that they can still obtain. The specialty pharmacy can help them to still be able to use that particular medication if their physician is in agreement.
These specialized facilities must be licensed in the United States and while they are not subject to all of the same regulations of normal pharmacies, they are still held to standards as set by the PCAB (Pharmacy Compound Accreditation Board). However, they are not mandated to to be a part of this organization and are only inspected for compliance every three years for standards.
These facilities can be of benefit to many different types of patients, both human and animal. While most people are able to get their medications at a local drug store or their grocery store or corner drug store, the compounding pharmacy can definitely fill a niche that can be lifesaving for a patient with specialized needs.
About the Author:
Get access to allergen free prescription medication and supplements from compounding pharmacy at purecompoundingpharmacy.com. To find out more, visit the official homepage on http://purecompoundingpharmacy.com.
