If you need a special type of medication, then your doctor may advise you to go to a local compounding pharmacy to have your medicine made. This is often a wise choice for individuals who have specific medical needs. However, you may be hesitant about using the service if you believe certain myths about compounding. Keep reading to learn about some of these myths and also what the truth is.
Myth - Compounding Medications Are Not Exact
If you have a specific perception about the way that medications are created, then you may believe that pharmaceutical companies make exact medications. However, you may not actually be receiving an "exact" medication all the time. This is especially true if you buy generic medicines. Generic prescriptions must be bioequivalent to the name brand drug. Bioequivalence means that the drug must not exceed blood levels that are 25% above or 20% below the level reached when the name brand medicine is taken. This means that the generic drug can legally provide 20% of the medication that you need and still be considered a safe and legal alternative.
Compounding is much more exact than the creation of a generic drug. Each medicine is mixed exactly to specification, by hand. This means that individual attention and care is taken to produce each medicine. Specifically, you can expect to receive the same medication with the exact active ingredients every time you order your prescription.
Myth - Compounding Is A Form Of Alternative Medicine
Some people believe that compounding professionals are somehow different than the individuals who work at their local pharmacies. Also, individuals think that compounding pharmacies create alternative concoctions with herbs and oils to treat diseases. This is not the case though.
Compounding pharmacies must meet the same standards and guidelines as other pharmacies. They must meet FDA standards and they also must go through routine inspections like any other pharmacy. Compounding pharmacies also hire the same sorts of professional pharmacists that other pharmacies do. In fact, compounding pharmacies may hire more experienced professionals. While most pharmacists will have at least a small bit of knowledge about compounding, professionals who specialize in compounding will have more experience in both mixing and dispensing medications.
Also, medications cannot be created without a valid prescription. This is similar to the way a regular pharmacy works. However, the prescription may be more detailed. For example, special instructions may be included to create a medicine with a non-standard dosage or with a specific additive removed. It is common as well for the prescription to indicate that certain coloring agents and fillers should not be included. For more information, contact a business such as Camelback Compounding Pharmacy.
Share30 January 2017
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