Although Compounding can be traced back to biblical times, Compounding Pharmacies have existed in America since the early 1800's. Long before manufacturing and the FDA, compounding was the only source of medicine. As manufacturing began to grow many pharmacists and pharmacies turned away from compounding and began to practice the lick, stick, and pour method of pharmacy. While this method may be suitable for a vast majority of the population it definitely does not work for everyone. This is why pharmacies such as Starr Compounding Pharmacy exist today, we are able to go back to the roots of pharmacy to prepare unique medications for individual patients on a case by case basis.
There are several reasons why pharmacists compound prescription medications; yet, the most important one is patient non-compliance. Many patients are allergic to preservatives or dyes, or are sensitive to standard drug strengths. With a physician's consent, a compounding pharmacist can change the strength of a medication, alter its form to make it easier for the patient to ingest, and add flavor to make it more palatable. The pharmacist also can prepare the medication using several unique delivery systems, such as a sublingual troche or lozenge, lollipop, or transdermal gel. Or, for those patients who are having a difficult time swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make a suspension instead. Often parents have a tough time getting their children to take their medicine because of the taste. A compounding pharmacist can work directly with the physician and the patient to select a flavoring agent, such as vanilla butternut or tutti frutti, that provides both an appropriate match for the medication's properties and the patient's taste preferences. Compounding pharmacists also have helped patients who are experiencing chronic pain. For example, arthritic patients who cannot take certain medications due to gastro side effects. Working with their physician, a compounding pharmacist can provide them with a topical preparation with the anti-inflammatory or analgesic their doctor prescribed for them.
If commercially available medications are not meeting your needs or if you have any specific questions regarding compounding pharmacy, please contact us so that one of our pharmacists can review the personalized compounding solutions that may be available.
