Compounding Pharmacist

Compounding Pharmacist

Medications today are produced on a national, even global, level. They are designed to treat specific medical conditions, assuming the patient is able to take these medications with limited or no side effects. But what happens when a person has a very specific need and is unable to take commercial drugs? Some patients may be allergic to one ingredient in a drug, and others may be too young to take an adult dosage that isn’t available otherwise. The compounding pharmacist is here to help.

What is a Compounding Pharmacist?

Compounding pharmacists use the prescription information provided by the physician to mix drugs in a safe and carefully controlled environment. They are trained to work with chemical compounding to compose alternate dosages or eliminate harmful ingredients to those with allergies.

Because compounding pharmacists typically work with patients with unique dosage, dilution, and ingredient needs, it is exceptionally important for them to always have patient safety in mind. Compounding pharmacists are becoming increasingly important in the role of reducing drug errors and minimizing adverse reactions. It is also important for compounding pharmacists to remain up-to-date on national initiatives toward medication safety and new drug information.

But when it comes to small-scale, mixed medications, how can patients assure they’re receiving safe treatment? There are three separate government agencies that regulate the safety of compounding pharmacies: the state boards of pharmacy, the FDA, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Also, the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB)  gives its official seal of approval to pharmacies that voluntarily pass strict inspections and other requirements. The ultimate goal of the compounding pharmacist is to achieve patient well-being and to ensure the safety of their drug practices while treating those whose medication needs are not available to them commercially.

What’s in Store?

Compounding pharmacies are the oldest and most traditional forms of pharmacies. Before the commercial production of drugs, medication had to be administered on a local level based on the demand of the individual patient, and most drugs were mixed on site. Now, with the increased availability of mass market medications, compounding pharmacies are mostly used in unique situations, which makes them more complex and specialized than ever before. With this specialization, the compounding pharmacist has become indispensable.

The more we understand about pharmaceuticals, the better grasp we have on the target patient population and those that fall outside of it, people who have had adverse reactions to certain medications. Because of the heightened awareness, the constant introduction of new commercial medications and the national drug shortages that sometimes occur, physicians are relying more heavily on compounding pharmacists to assist with composing medications when needed. If a highly-specialized pharmacy career with hands-on responsibilities is what you’re seeking, apply for residencies in the compounding pharmacies, look for continuing education in the field, and pave the way for a lasting career as a compounding pharmacist.


Sources:


http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/healthcare/what-is-a-compounding-pharmacist.htm