If you have ever needed a specially formulated medicine, you may need to use the services of your healthcare provider. dispensing pharmacy. According to the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, compounding refers to “the preparation, mixing, assembly, modification, packaging, and labeling of pharmaceuticals” or equipment based on a prescription or provider’s instructions.
Examples of compounding include preparing specific doses of drugs. Prepare flavored versions of the medicine, such as mixing it into syrup for children or chewable treats for pets. Reformulate drugs to remove non-essential allergens such as lactose. Modifies the form of a drug, such as mixing it into a liquid form for patients who cannot swallow tablets.
Dispensing pharmacies exist because over-the-counter medicines may not meet the needs of patients. This is where dispensing pharmacies (and pharmacists) can intervene. While most pharmacies (and pharmacists) are limited in the amount of compounding they can do, more specialized orders are often sent to places that specialize in compounding, where pharmacists have specialized tools, training, and expertise. equipped with technology. and available materials.
How to use the dispensing pharmacy
Pharmaceuticals are individually formulated for each patient and require a prescription. of approximately 56,000 pharmacies in the US, of which about 7,500 are dispensing pharmacies. Search Alliance For Pharmacy Compounding to find a compounding pharmacy near you. website locator. If your doctor wants to prescribe medicines that need to be dispensed at a dispensing pharmacy, they may also have a recommended local pharmacy.
As suggested by the Alliance For Pharmacy Compounding, when choosing a compounding pharmacy, it’s a good idea to ask about quality standards, such as whether the compounding pharmacy complies. United States Pharmacopoeia standardstraining of pharmacy staff; Formulation processes for preparing medicinal products, including aseptic procedures for eye drops and injections.and whether they are certified Pharmacy Dispensing Accreditation Board.
Things to watch out for
There have been many warnings and controversies in the past due to dispensing pharmacies producing unsafe drugs. Outbreak of fungal meningitis in 2012In , 753 patients in 20 states developed fungal infections after being injected with contaminated drugs prepared by a pharmacy.Since then, the FDA has regularly Contaminated product warning Compounded at a dispensing pharmacy.
Just recently, the FDA issued a warning about customized formulations. semaglutideactive ingredient contained in Ozempic and we gobysold at low cost by dispensing pharmacies. FDA loophole Even if there is a shortage of patented medicines, it can be compounded.
However, as the FDA recently warned, there are many risks associated with using these combination formulations. Adverse events reported in patients using them. The company that manufactures semaglutide does not sell semaglutide in a pharmacy-ready form. Instead, these pharmacies may be using research-grade semaglutide salt. FDA says: ‘Not aware’ of how this is done legallyIn other words, compound interest “Ozempic” is likely not real.
as FDA Note, One of the major differences between over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs is that they have different quality standards. While over-the-counter drugs must go through the FDA approval process and are subject to many quality control regulations, compounded drugs are not considered FDA-approved. Compounded drugs can be made from FDA-approved drugs, but the compounding process is subject to a separate set of rules and regulations and is not subject to the FDA approval process.
