Compounding pharmacies have been getting lots of play in the news lately, with reports of some selling hard-to-find drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, especially online.
While we’re all familiar with pharmacy chains that dispense mass-market medication, many of us wonder what the heck a compounding pharmacy is, who needs them and for what.
As it turns out, compounding pharmacies are unique in that they use specialized equipment and techniques to create medications that are not available off the shelf, and that are customized for an individual.
With personalization becoming a game-changing element of healthcare, we wanted to understand more about how compounding pharmacies help treat health conditions on a one-to-one level.
What Is a Compounding Pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy is a specialized pharmacy that creates customized medications tailored to meet the specific needs of individual patients. According to Health Canada, compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal if they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner for a specific patient and compounded by a licensed pharmacy.
Unlike standard pharmacies, which dispense pre-manufactured drugs to the masses, compounding pharmacies mix or modify ingredients to create unique formulations that target exactly what the patient needs – or doesn’t need.
The process involves combining, altering, or mixing raw pharmaceutical ingredients to produce a medication in a specific dosage form or strength. Compounding can include removing inactive ingredients that patients are allergic to, adjusting dosage forms, or creating entirely new formulations.
Who Needs a Compounding Pharmacy?
Doctors often recommend compounding pharmacies when a patient has specific needs that cannot be met with commercially available medications. Examples include tailoring a dose for a child, creating a preservative-free formulation for an allergic patient, or providing a medication in an alternative form, such as a cream or liquid.
While doctors may recommend compounding pharmacies, patients can also independently choose to visit one based on their own needs, often after discussing options with their pharmacist or conducting personal research.
You should expect a compounding pharmacist to learn about your specific condition, allergies, and treatment options so they can make recommendations to your physician and customize medications to meet your individual needs.
If you’re a proactive patient, you’ll be excited to know you can get more involved in your medication needs than you can with retail pharmacies. Building a relationship with the pharmacy and its staff will help you stay on top of crucial knowledge and optimize your medication to help achieve your healthcare goals.
Here’s why you may want to consider a compounding pharmacy.
Custom Dosages and Combination Drugs
Patients who need a dosage that is not available in mass-market pharmaceuticals can turn to a compounding pharmacy as they offer doses as small or large as your doctor prescribes. They can also create combination drugs tailored to your individual needs.
Medication Palatability
Compounding pharmacies can flavour medications, encouraging kids and even pets to follow prescriptions and stay healthy.
Swallowing
For people who have trouble swallowing pills, compounding pharmacies make prescription drugs into chewable tablets and liquid medicine.
Newer and Unavailable Therapies
Compounding pharmacies can make medications that are not commercially available, or that are not available due to shortages such as in the case of Ozempic, or actual discontinuation.
Allergens and Irritants
Many medications contain dyes, gluten, or preservatives. For people who are allergic to these ingredients, compounding pharmacies can make medication that doesn’t use these problematic inactive ingredients.
Vegans, Vegetarians and Religious Restrictions
It’s not unusual for medication manufacturers to use gelatin or other animal-derived products in their pharmaceutical production. Vegetarians and vegans can talk to their compounding pharmacist to see if they can make drugs using non-animal products. Also, if you have religious dietary restrictions, ask a compounding pharmacy to see what they can do for you.
How Are Medications Produced in Compounding Pharmacies?
In the pharmacy, the process begins with an assessment of the prescription.The pharmacist reviews the doctor’s prescription to understand the patient’s specific needs, including dosage, form, and any ingredient exclusions.
Using raw, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients that are sourced and measured precisely, pharmacists or trained technicians mix, alter, or combine the ingredients according to the prescription. This step may involve grinding, dissolving, or blending the components.
Each batch is checked for consistency, accuracy, and safety. Depending on the pharmacy, additional sterility or potency tests may be performed. The medication is then packaged in a form suitable for the patient, such as capsules, creams, liquids, or suppositories, and labeled with usage instructions.
Risks of Compounded Medications
Unlike mass-produced drugs, compounded medications are not subject to rigorous clinical trials to evaluate their safety, efficacy, and potential side effects. This absence of large-scale testing means that risks may not be as well-documented or understood.
Quality control can be an issue as compounded medications can vary between pharmacies. Differences in ingredient sourcing, compounding techniques, and testing protocols can impact the final product while errors in compounding processes, such as inaccurate measurements or improper mixing, can result in ineffective or harmful medications.
Contamination risks are higher in pharmacies without proper sterile environments or procedures, especially for medications requiring sterile formulations, such as eye drops or injections.
Incorrect dosages due to human error in measurement or formulation can lead to underdosing (ineffective treatment) or overdosing (toxicity).
Choosing a Compounding Pharmacy
As with regular pharmacies, compounding pharmacies must comply with regulations set by provincial authorities and organizations like the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).
Look for pharmacies that employ pharmacists and technicians with specialized training in compounding and ask about protocols for cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and ingredient sourcing. Any pharmacy you choose should follow strict procedures in their production processes: A reliable compounding pharmacy will provide clear information about the preparation process, ingredient sources, and quality control measures.
Beware of fake compounding pharmacies, especially online. These pharmacies may sell unapproved, counterfeit, or unsafe drugs. Avoid fake pharmacies by making sure it is accredited and licensed. Never buy from a pharmacy that doesn’t require a prescription; it’s not legitimate.
How to make sure an online pharmacy is legit in Canada:
- Look up the Canadian business address on the online pharmacy’s website (usually found on the home or contact page). There may be additional information provided such as a pharmacy licence number, the pharmacy regulatory authority that provides the licence, contact telephone number and email address.
- Visit the website of the pharmacy regulatory authority in the province or territory where the online pharmacy has established its business to find out if the pharmacy is licensed.
Cost of Compounded Medication
Compounded medications in Canada can cost more than non-compounded medications due to the cost of ingredients, dispensing fees, and other services. However, the cost difference can vary depending on the type of medication, the ingredients used, and the pharmacy. They may also incur additional fees for inventory, stocking, and other services.
Patients are advised to compare prices between pharmacies. Compounded medications may be covered by provincial medicare in some cases. Most third-party insurance companies will cover compounded medications. Check with your provincial authorities and insurance provider before making your decision.
When considering going with a compounding pharmacy, make sure you consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether a compounded medication is appropriate. With personalized healthcare becoming more prevalent, why not see if your needs, or the needs of a loved one would be better met with a more individual approach.
It’s valuable to know that we have increasingly individualized choices for our healthcare. Stay tuned to The Health Insider for updates about personalized medicine and more.
~Read more from The Health Insider~
- Compounding Pharmacies: Custom Meds for Individual Needs
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- Weight-Loss Med Wegovy Now Approved to Treat Heart Attack RiskDiscover how the medication Wegovy tackles obesity and reduces heart attack risk by 20% – a breakthrough for many Canadians.
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
