Is compounding safe? Is it legal? Compounding has been a part of health care since the origins of pharmacy. It is used widely today in all areas of the industry, from hospitals to nuclear medicine. Over the last decade, compounding's resurgence has largely benefited from advances in technology, quality control and research. 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.
Is compounding expensive? The cost of compounding depends on the type of dosage form and equipment required, plus the time spent researching and preparing the medication. It may or may not cost more than a commercially available medication. Fortunately, compounding pharmacists have access to pure-grade quality chemicals that can dramatically lower overall costs.
Can any pharmacy compound? Preparation of these custom medications requires chemicals and specialized equipment not available in most pharmacies. Northwest Compounding pharmacists have also received additional training in compounding techniques. We work with a support network involving other pharmacies, Ph.D. chemists and research pharmacists to exchange ideas, innovations and new techniques.
Does my doctor know about compounding? Prescription compounding is a rapidly growing component of many physicians' practices. But in today's world of aggressive marketing by drug manufacturers, some may not realize the extent of compounding's resurgence in recent years. Ask your physician about compounding and get in touch with Northwest Compounding Pharmacy to find out what can be done to meet your prescription needs.
