Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients. Its practice dates back to the origins of pharmacy; yet, compounding’s presence throughout the pharmacy profession has changed over the years. In the 1930s and 1940s, approximately 60 percent of all medications were compounded. With the advent of drug manufacturing in the 1950s and 60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms. Within the last two decades, though, compounding has experienced a resurgence, as modern technology and innovative techniques and research have allowed more pharmacists to customize medications to meet specific patient needs. Today, an estimated one percent of all prescriptions are compounded daily by pharmacists working closely with physicians and their patients.

There are several reasons why pharmacist compound prescription medications. The most important one is what the medical community calls “patient non-compliance.” Many patients are allergic to preservatives or dyes, or are sensitive to standard drug strengths. With a physician’s consent, a compounding pharmacist can change the strength of a medication, alter its form to make it easier for the patient to ingest, or add flavor to it to make it more palatable. The pharmacist also can prepare the medication using several unique delivery systems, such as a sublingual troche or lozenge, a lollipop, or a transdermal gel. Or, for those patients who are having a difficult time swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make a suspension instead.

Yes, children and the elderly are often the types of patients who benefit most from compounding. Often, parents have a tough time getting their children take medicine because of the taste. A compounding pharmacist can work directly with the physician and the patient to select a flavoring agent, such as vanilla butternut or tutti frutti that provides both an appropriate match of the medication’s properties and the patient’s taste preferences.

Compounding pharmacists also have helped patients who are experiencing chronic pain. For example, some arthritic patients cannot take certain medications due to gastrointestinal side effects. Working with their physician, a compounding pharmacist can provide them with a topical preparation with the anti-inflammatory or analgesic their doctor has prescribed for them. Compounded prescriptions often are used for pain management in hospice care.

Almost any kind. Compounded prescriptions are ideal for any patient requiring unique dosages and/or delivery devices, which can take the form of solutions, suppositories, sprays, oral rinses, lollipops and even as transdermal sticks. Compounding applications can include: Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Veterinary, Hospice, Pediatric, Ophthalmic, Dental Otic, Dermatology, Medication Flavoring, Chronic Pain Management, Neuropathies, Sports Medicine, Infertility, Wound Therapy, Podiatry and Gastroenterology.

Because compounded medications are exempt by law from having the National Drug Code ID numbers that manufactured products carry, some insurance companies will not directly reimburse the compounding pharmacy. However, almost every insurance plan allows for the patient to be reimbursed by sending in claims forms. While you may by paying a pharmacy directly for a compounded prescription, most insurance plans should cover the final cost.

Compounding has been part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy, and 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 methodology. 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 for a specific patient and compounded by a licensed pharmacy. In addition, compounding is regulated by state boards of pharmacy.

Prescriptions can be refilled by calling Stewart’s Pharmacy & Wellness Store at (850)216-1021. During normal business hours multiple lines are open to ensure your call is received and an order is taken by one of our staff members. Messages may be left after business hours, but will not be received until the following business day at 9 AM. Since prescriptions—especially compounds— are very specifically formulated to meet the needs of each patient, we ask that you please have the following information ready at the time of your call: patient name, date of birth, and name of medicine or 6-digit prescription number from the label.

Stewart’s Pharmacy fills many regular prescriptions found in other pharmacies. Non-compounded prescriptions may be called in for same-day pickup if the medicine is available. However, we specialize in compounding medicines, which require approved formulas, specific ingredients, product testing, and the precise amount of time to carefully and accurately fill each prescription. For compounded prescriptions, we ask that they please be called in no later than 3 business days in advance. This will allow our technicians and pharmacists to identify the formula, communicate with your doctor about changes or number of refills, enter in any insurance information, and review and double-check the medicine as it is being made. For example, calling in a prescription on Wednesday will allow for you to pick up the medicine on Monday.