What is Compounding?
Pharmacy compounding is the science of preparing customized medications for patients. Compounding medications are prepared based on health practitioner’s prescriptions. Ingredients are mixed together in exact strength and dosage form as ordered by the prescriber. This process allows collaboration with patients, their physicians and their compounding pharmacist when customizing a medication to meet a specific need.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPOUNDING
Will my insurance cover compounded medications?
Patients may be reimbursed by sending in a claim form to their insurance plan. Some insurance plans cover the final cost. The patient must pay the pharmacy directly for a compounded prescription and is responsible for submitting the claim themselves.
Is compounding a prescription expensive?
Compounded prescriptions cost will vary on a number of factors. The type of ingredients, equipment required and the time required for the staff to prepare what is ordered are some of the factors that will affect cost. We have access to pure-grade chemicals in bulk form, allowing us to pass along the savings to our customers.
How does compounding benefit me?
Working with your health care provider, a compounding pharmacist can:
• Alter the form of your medication to make it easier to use or ingest
• Add flavor to your medication to make it more palatable
• Adjust the strength of your medication so that it meets your specific needs
• Combine medications into one, easy-to-use form
• In some cases, formulate medications that are no longer manufactured commercially
Is a compounded medication safe for my child or an elderly patient?
Absolutely! In fact, quite often children and elderly patients are the ideal patients for compounded medications. Flavoring agents can greatly assist in the taste of a medication, which makes giving a child a medication much easier and increases compliance. We can match the medication properties, and patient flavor preference. We work with the physician directly to make the healing process a much more pleasant experience. Bubblegum, banana, grape and vanilla are some of the flavoring we can provide.
Elderly patients can benefit from compounding services. Our compounding pharmacist may help relieve side effects by providing an alternate delivery vehicle of a medication with a physician’s prescription.
Is Compounding Legal? Is it safe?
The Food and Drug Administration has stated that compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal as long as they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner for a specific patient and compounded by a licensed pharmacy. In addition, compounding is regulated by state boards of pharmacy.