Have you ever given a script to your local community pharmacy only to be told that the medication is not commercially available? If you’re confused about what that means, we’re here to help.
This article will walk you through how compounding prescriptions work, from definitions, to legalities, to safety information.
What are compounding prescriptions?
Compounding prescriptions are prescriptions that are customised to a patient’s individual needs that cannot be met with commercially available medications. These come with many practical benefits, from making medicine more accessible by providing new routes of administration to removing ingredients patients might be allergic to.
Why would a doctor offer compounding prescriptions?
As we previously mentioned, a doctor might provide compounding prescriptions in the event that a medication of a particular strength or dosage form is not available commercially. In such cases, a new approach is necessary, and that’s where compounding medication comes in.
How are compounding prescriptions regulated in Australia?
In order to ensure that patients receive quality medical care, the Australian government at both a state and federal level have imposed guidelines and regulations on compounding prescriptions.
Guidelines can be found at the Pharmacy Board of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).
What does this mean for patients with compounding prescriptions?
What this means is that patients can be confident that there are certain standards compounding pharmacies must adhere to. That’s why it’s important to look for a reputable and established compounding pharmacy who will prepare your medication in an accurate, cost-effective way using high-quality ingredients.
Who is a good compounding pharmacy to take your compounding prescription to?
Since 2006, PharmacySmart Compounding has been dedicated to helping you and your family gain access to the highest quality medicines with exceptional and personalised care.
At PharmacySmart, we work closely alongside patients and their prescribing doctors to produce personalised medication that meets the patient’s specific needs. These prescriptions are often tailored for each individual in terms of ingredients, dosage and administration route.
Here are just some of the things we can help you with:
- Too tough a pill to swallow? We can change medication forms (for example, from capsules to liquid formations) for patients who have trouble swallowing pills.
- Can’t stand the taste of your medicine? We can help make bitter medicines sweet.
- Worried about your allergies? We can remove non-essential ingredients from your medicines to make them allergy-free.
As one of the very few Melbourne compounding pharmacies with a state-of-the-art sterile lab, we only use premium quality materials, processes and facilities built to Australian standards. Enjoy peace of mind that your medicine will be produced to the exact specifications that your practitioner ordered for you.