General Info

Compounding Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients. Its practice dates back to the origins of pharmacy; yet; compounding's presence throughout the pharmacy profession has changed over the years. In the 1930s and 1940s, approximately 60 percent of all medications were compounded. With the advent of drug manufacturing in the 1950s and 60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacist's role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms. Within the last two decades, though, compounding has experienced a resurgence, as modern technology and innovative techniques and research have allowed more pharmacists to customize medications to meet specific patient needs. Today, an estimated one percent of all prescriptions are compounded daily by pharmacists working closely with physicians and their patients. There are several reasons why pharmacists compound prescriptions. The most important one is what the medical community calls a 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, or add flavor to it to make it more palatable. The pharmacist also can prepare the medication using several unique delivery systems, such as sublingual troche or lozenge, a lollipop or a transdermal gel. Or, for those patients who are having a difficult time swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make a suspension instead. Children and the elderly are often the types of patients who benefit most from compounding. Often, patients have a tough time getting their children to take medicine because of the taste. A compounding pharmacist can work directly with a 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, some arthritic patients cannot take certain medications due to gastrointestinal side effects. Working with their physician, a compounding pharmacist can provide them with a topical preparation with the anti-inflammatory or analgesic their doctor has prescribed for them. Compounded prescriptions often are used for pain management in hospice care. Other applications can include: Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Veterinary, Pediatric, Ophthalmic, Dental, Optic, Dermatology, Medication Flavoring, Infertility, Podiatry and Gastroenterology. Ask your physician about compounding, then get in touch with Lima's Professional Pharmacy. Through the triad relationship of patient, physician and pharmacist, all three can work together to solve unique medical problems. VETERINARY COMPOUNDING The resurgence of compounding in recent years provides valuable benefits to today's pet owners. As any pet owner is well aware, animals may be extremely difficult to treat with medications. Cats are notorious for refusing to swallow a pill, and will usually eat right around one disguised in food. And dosing can be very tricky with dogs. An antibiotic that works for an 80-pound Golden Retriever is far too much for a six-pound Yorkie to handle. Humans and their animals often have variations of the same diseases, including skin rashes, heart conditions, eye and ear infections, cancer and diabetes. Pet medications though, present unique problems that are often best dealt with through compounding. The pet who refuses to take medication because of the taste is often a prime opportunity for compounding. Cats don't like pills, but they do like tuna. Dogs don't appreciate a traditional solution of amoxicillin being squirted into their mouth, but they'll gladly take it when it's part of a tasty biscuit o