Compounding Pharmacy

What is Compounding?

Compounding is the creation, mixing, assembling, packaging or labeling of a drug or device upon a valid medical prescription. A customized medication made to order for a single patient based upon a prescription.  Most compounds are made from pure, USP grade raw powders, chemical and/or devices.

Why should I get my medication compounded?
Most patients receiving medication in the United States may not need compounding services. However, there are many patients who "fall between the cracks" because the drugs that are commercially available do not adequately address their needs.

Examples also include:

  • Those who need medications without dyes, preservatives, fillers or other ingredients
  • Those who require a change in the route of administration (for example, converting an oral medication to a topical medication to bypass first-pass effects, or for those finding it hard to swallow multiple pills/capsules).
  • Combinations of medicines that do not normally exist
  • Strengths of medications that do not normally exist
  • Altering the flavor and texture of dosage forms, especially for pediatric patients

The Right and Responsibility of the Pharmacist to Compound

As taken from the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists,
"No other health care professional has studied chemical compatibilities and can prepare dosage forms. Even when modern scientific technologies have produced new chemical entities, the ability of the pharmacist to combine one or more chemicals into a new preparation or process the existing dosage form into one that is better suited to the patient’s needs, has remained the domain of the pharmacist. Compounding of medications by pharmacists is a long-standing and traditional part of pharmacy. The right - if not the obligation - to compound exists under the pharmacy laws of each of the fifty states and is pervasively regulated by the fifty states. States require that pharmacy schools must - as part of their core curriculum - instruct students on the compounding of pharmaceuticals."

What do I have to do to get an item compounded?

Florida pharmacy law requires all compounded medications to have a valid prescription*. We require a valid prescription for all compounded medicines, be it guaifenesin or even a vitamin. Not only does this allow possible reimbursement by the patient’s insurance company, but it allows greater communication between the pharmacist, the patient, and the physician. A physician can call us Toll-Free or Fax us with your prescription. We will be happy to talk to your physician.

What can be compounded?

  • Capsules
  • Creams, Ointments & Lotions
  • Dental Preparations
  • Dermatologic Specialties
  • Flavor Specialization
  • Gels- Topical and Oral
  • Geriatric Formulations
  • Homeopathic Formulations
  • Hospice- Pain Formulations, Nausea Formulations
  • Lip Balms
  • Medicated Lollipops
  • Medicated Lozenges
  • Mediated Popsicles
  • Nasal Sprays and Solutions

Starting with commercially available products as your idea base, we can make prescriptions with:

  • Higher Doses/Strengths
  • Lower Doses/Strengths
  • Preservatives Eliminated
  • Add ingredients for combination drugs
  • Add Flavorings
  • Slow Release
  • Add emollients
  • Reduce irritants
  • Oral Solutions ¤ Otic Insufflations, Solutions and Suspensions
  • Pediatric Formulations
  • Physical Therapy- Phonophoretic Formulations, Sounding Gels, Ionizing Solutions, Iontophoretic Formulations
  • Podiatric Formulations
  • Suspensions
  • Sterile products: Ophthalmic, Parenterals, Enterals, Wound/Bladder/Catheter Irrigations, and Inhalation Products
  • Throat Sprays
  • Topical Powders
  • Topical Sprays
  • Transdermal Formulations
  • Unit Dose
  • Urethral Inserts
  • Vaginal Creams & Suppositories
  • **PLUS MANY MORE!!
  • Polymeric Substrate Bandages
  • Rectal Enemas
  • Rectal Suppositories
  • Sublingual Troches