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 in the pharmacy profession has changed over the years. In the substantial 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.

There are several reasons why pharmacists 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 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 cream that can be absorbed through the skin. For those patients who are having a hard time swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make a liquid suspension instead.

Compounding pharmacists have the opportunity to work with a variety of practice specialties, such as hospice, pediatrics, pain management, and OB/GYN, which in turn broadens the scope of their practices and creates other opportunities to provide other pharmacist care services. 

What kinds of prescriptions can be compounded?

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 (for the ear), Dermatology, Medication Flavoring, Chronic Pain Management, Neuropathies, Sports Medicine, Infertility, Wound Therapy, Podiatry and Gastroenterology.

Is compounding safe and legal?

Compounding has been part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy, and is widely used 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.

Will my insurance cover compounded medication?

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 be paying a pharmacy directly for a compounded prescription, most insurance plans should cover the final cost.

Does my doctor know about compounding and do I need a prescription?

Prescription compounding is a rapidly growing component of many physicians’ practices. But in today’s world of aggressive marketing by drug manufacturers, some may not realize the extent of compounding’s resurgence in recent years. Ask your physician about compounding.

Yes, most compounded medication require a presciption from a physician, nurse practitioner or a physican‘s assistant.  Doug‘s Family Pharmacy and Compounding Center is committed to providing high-quality compounded medications in the dosage form and strength prescribed by the physician.

This triad relationship between the patient, the physician, and the pharmacist is vital to the process of compounding so all three can work together to solve unique medical problems.


What‘s my first step to getting bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Ten Simple Steps to Bio-identical therapy:

1.Call Dougs‘s Family Pharmacy and Compounding Center for a consultation form to be mailed, faxed or emailed.

2.Also, ask us to send you a saliva test kit.  We do not charge for the kit.  Payment arrangements are made between you and the laboratory.  Some insurance may cover the cost of the saliva test kit.  We prefer the saliva test, because it gives a more accurate picture of your bioavalible hormones as compared to the common blood test.

3.Send the completed consultation form back to Doug‘s Family Pharmacy and Compounding Center.

4.Send the completed saliva test to the lab.

5.The lab will send your results to Doug‘s Family Pharmacy and Compounding Center at which time a trained pharmacist will review your results.

6.A consultation will be set up with you to go over the results and to answer any of your questions.

7.Next, a pharmacist will contact your practitioner to discuss the results and to come up with a game plan for your treatment options.We will get the prescription for your bio-identical hormones.

8.Then in our compounding lab a trained pharmacist will compound your prescription that has been designed to balance your hormone levels.

9.Finally, we will arrange for pick-up in our pharmacy, free delivery to local areas or free shipping.

10.You are on your way to hormonal balance.

What are some of Doug‘s Family Pharmacy and Compounding Center‘s specialites?

Doug has formulated a topical pain gel called Ketoprofen 10% Pain Gel.
Ask your doctor for a presciption for Ketoprofen 10% Pain Gel.  Doug is an avid golfer who developed "tennis elbow" which required surgery on one of his arms.  He did not want to get surgery on the other arm so he developed this pain gel that gets rubbed directly on the site to remove inflammation and pain without gastric upset or addictive properties.  Only thing addictive is being able to improve on his already great golf game.
Your practitioner can call (610) 286-0496 of fax a prescription to
(610) 286-6968.  Or we would kindly contact your practitioner.
The prescription should read:

                                         Ketoprofen 10% Pain Gel
                                                   30 or 60 Grams
                                      Apply to affected area and rub in
                                      well every 6 hours as needed.

What other information is to come?

Please stay tuned for new products and service available to fit everyones compounding needs.