Have you ever walked into a pharmacy and wondered if every medicine on the shelves fits your unique needs? In many ways, they can’t; that’s where compounding pharmacies come in.

Before mass-produced medications, pharmacists customized every prescription to suit individual needs – a practice making a comeback in modern healthcare. According to the Association of Compounding Pharmacists of Canada, the practice of compounding dates back to a time when nearly all prescriptions were customized. Although mass-produced medications became the norm in the mid-20th century, advancements in technology and research have reignited interest in compounding. Pharmacists can create personalized medications tailored to meet individual needs, such as adjusting strength and flavour, altering dosage forms, or excluding allergens.

“Imagine your child needs a medication, but the pill is too big to swallow,” says Youssef Habib, pharmacist and owner of Lawrence Park Pharmacy in Toronto. “Or maybe they’re put off by the taste. What do you do? Compounding pharmacies can create medications tailored specifically for your family’s unique needs.”

That’s one of the biggest differences between a pharmacy that offers compounding solutions and a traditional pharmacy that dispenses mass-produced drugs.

Compounding pharmacies tailor medications to patient’s unique requirements. Medications are always prescribed by your doctor, but a compound pharmacy can work with you/your physician to personalize it, for instance, if your child is unable to swallow pills, or doesn’t like the taste of the medication.

As Habib points out, “Our pharmacy has been able to support parents with finding suitable and affordable medication solutions for their children. Most commonly, we prepare compounds for children diagnosed with various mental health conditions since traditional manufactured drugs are tailored for adults.”

Is it more expensive, and if so – why?

The price of compounded medications will vary depending on the ingredients, quantity, complexity, equipment required, and time involved in creating them.

Are insurance plans covered?

This varies by plan, and sometimes, patients may have to contact their plan administrator for approval.

Are there any misconceptions about compound pharmacies?

A common myth Habib points out is that compounded medications are unsafe. “In reality, when prepared by trained professionals following stringent guidelines, compounded medications are as safe as commercially available drugs.”

What inspired you to open a compound pharmacy, and what keeps you passionate about your work?

“I recognized the demand for personalized medicine is growing. Research supports the effectiveness of custom-made medications tailored to individual conditions and genetic profiles. Particularly in Toronto, medical practitioners are beginning to prescribe more customized medications to support their patients.”

Why might a parent or caregiver choose compounded medication over commercially available options?

• Create custom dosages/strengths or dosages that are not typically available for children or infants
• Obtain flavoured medications
• Avoid components of pharmaceutical medications to which patients may be allergic or sensitive.

Last word

Many compound pharmacies, like Lawrence Park Pharmacy (lprx.ca) offer compounding expertise along with a full-service pharmacy. This ability to develop custom solutions truly sets compound pharmacies apart. From personalized pain management for older adults to tailored medications for children, they ensure that individuals receive treatments uniquely suited to their needs. By offering such versatility and personalization, compound pharmacies deliver the best of both worlds – expert care, traditional medications and innovative solutions.