What is Compounding?

Compounding is the art and science of creating personalized medicine. It all starts with a problem: the child who can’t swallow pills, the patient with a gluten allergy, the much-needed drug that’s in short supply. For whatever reason, many people aren’t served by mass-produced medications. A compounding pharmacy is able to provide a solution.

That’s where compounding pharmacies come in. Special flavorings, unique dosage forms, innovative delivery methods – using these tools and more, compounding pharmacies work with prescribers to fill a gap in health care through customized solutions for specific patient needs. Compounding is a great option to explore for people who:

Have allergies to common mass-produced medicine fillers (casein, gluten, dyes, etc.)
Aren’t taking medication as prescribed due to unpleasant side effects or lack of improvement
Need custom medicine strengths and dosage forms (like creams or suppositories)

For patients, compounding can be life-changing, even lifesaving. And, it’s highly rewarding for compounding pharmacists and practitioners, helping them solve some of health care’s toughest challenges.

PCCA has helped me to become a better pharmacist. They have helped me to look at healthcare disease states and problems in a whole new light. I see each condition as a challenge and know that we can find a solution. Compounding provides so many solutions for so many people and for that I am truly grateful.

Koby Taylor

Koby Taylor, PharmD, RPh
Fusion Specialty Pharmacy in Santa Clara, Utah

Compounding is very personal for patients, who know just how powerful personalized medicine can be. Their stories are ones of new beginnings and happier endings. Stories of strength, comfort and confidence. Stories of hope. Here are just a few.

“To see that just gave me so much hope, so much happiness.”

Kayla

Scar Therapy Patient

“Compounding made the pain go away. It worked.”

David

Pain Management Patient

“I feel alive again.”

Connie

Chronic Sinusitis Patient

Compounding expands therapeutic options for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other prescribers. Learn more about the role of personalized medicine in specific treatment areas, the science behind compounding, and more from these practitioners.

Hormone Replacement in Women

Dr. Pamela W. Smith

Wound Care and Compounding

Dr. Brian Futrell

Compounding and Early Alzheimer's: Helping a patient get her memory back

Dr. Roxanne Carfora

With customized tools – like special flavorings, unique dosage forms and innovative delivery methods, compounding pharmacists work with practitioners to create personalized medicine for people who aren’t served by the “one-size-fits-all” approach of mass-produced drugs. Here’s how they make a difference in patient lives.