How Compounding Services Provide Personalised Medication Solutions

Despite how effective a standard medication might be for most people, there are situations where even the best commercially manufactured drug falls short. This is where compounding services come in. If you’ve experienced this, don’t worry, you’re not abnormal. The reality is that each of us has a unique medical history, varied tolerance levels, and personal preferences that aren’t always served by a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Studies consistently show that personalisation works in modern health management. And as pharmacists, customising treatments to address individual requirements is one way we can provide more individualised care. 

Without further ado, we’ll explore some of the key benefits of tailor-made medications and explain the rigorous safety measures behind them. At the end of the day, we all have a unique body, lifestyle, and specific health goals. It’s only logical that our medical treatments should embrace and account for those factors.

 

Why Personalised Medication Matters

While mass production has revolutionised how widely available and affordable medications are, not everyone fits the ‘average patient’ that these products are aimed towards. You’d be surprised how often certain personal preferences and needs impact the suitability of these commercial medications. For example:

• Allergies and Sensitivities: Look at the ingredients list of any standard medication and you’ll likely see a range of fillers, dyes, or preservatives. These excipients are usually added to improve shelf life and commercial viability but may pose problems if you have specific sensitivities or dietary restrictions.
• Limited Dosage Options: Not everyone responds best to the dosage options on pharmacy shelves. And there are risks involved when trying to makeshift custom doses yourself.
• Difficulty Swallowing or Using Medication: When you can’t reliably take the medication you are prescribed, adherence drops and so does the chance of therapeutic success. Some issues aren’t particularly uncommon, e.g. children and elderly patients often have issues swallowing tablets.

Unsurprisingly, personalised medicine is a way to address these issues by making appropriate adjustments. The benefits? Researchers note that tailored treatments often improve adherence, reduce side effects, and drive better clinical outcomes overall. These benefits have been seen across a range of different compounding fields, such as dermatology, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and vitamin D.

 

Compounding Services: Explained

Safe and effective customisation of treatments relies on a process known as compounding. This is essentially the art of creating custom medications from scratch. It’s a specialised field, but one that offers a unique bridge between traditional pharmaceutical science and highly individualised care. As a compounding pharmacy ourselves, we find that it allows us to use our training and expertise to provide a more patient-focused healthcare approach.

Key Advantages

• Exact Dosage Strength: We can prepare a medication at the exact strength you need, avoiding under- or over-dosing risks (which are a particular concern with paediatric patients and those with serious illness).
• Allergen Control: Potential irritants like dyes, preservatives, or fillers can be omitted or replaced. As these are not active ingredients, removing these unnecessary excipients does not harm the efficacy of a treatment.
• Alternative Forms: Pills can be turned into liquids, lozenges, or topical creams, making it simpler and more comfortable to take your medication.
• Combined Therapies: Sometimes compatible ingredients can be merged into a single medication, reducing the complexity of multiple prescriptions. This can be a lifesaver if you have a complex condition and a very convoluted treatment plan.

Is it Safe?

In Australia, we are guided by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure that customised medicines are produced to the highest safety and quality standards. Clinical studies support the idea that personalising medication can boost treatment efficacy and improve quality of life. But if you want more information regarding the safety of customised medication, we covered it here in depth.

To sum it up, it is safe when done properly, and our team at Zenith Pharmacy prioritises your well-being through the entire process. We’ve picked out 3 areas that we believe are essential for providing a reputable compounding service:

 

• Training & Expertise: Undergoing specialised training beyond standard pharmaceutical education is essential. It’s also important to continue upskilling in specific domains like sterile compounding, paediatric formulations, more advanced dermatological compounds, or HRT.
• Ingredients & Facility Standards: An on-site compounding lab must be designed in a way that minimises contamination risks. Similarly, sourcing high-quality ingredients to create medications is a crucial aspect of our safety protocols.
• Adherence to Guidelines: We adhere to the stringent regulations as we believe it’s the safest route for our patients and ourselves. Frankly, these guidelines are liable to change, which is why our team stays updated by attending workshops and consulting the different pharmacy bodies here in NSW.

 

Step-by-Step Look at the Compounding Process

Like anything medicine-related, there’s not much room to make things up on the spot. Instead, there is a multi-layered procedure designed to ensure both effectiveness and safety. Here’s a simplified overview:

1. Prescription & Patient Consultation
• A pharmacist reviews your doctor’s prescription, noting dosage requirements and any special instructions.
• This is also the time to learn about your medical history, allergies, tolerances, lifestyle, and how you prefer to take your medication. This background shapes the custom formula.
2. Selection of Ingredients
• Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients from reputable suppliers are selected.
• Each ingredient is checked to ensure potency, purity, and correct storage conditions.
3. Formulation & Preparation
• The precise formulation is calculated. Accurate measurements are crucial, which is why pharmacists often double-check calculations for dosage accuracy.
• Ingredients are thoroughly mixed using specialised equipment. You’ve probably seen examples of the mortar-and-pestle being used in the lab, but other mixing machines and electronic balances are also used to achieve a uniform product.
• An in-process quality control check ensures the compound aligns with standards.
4. Final Verification & Labelling
• Before dispensing, another pharmacist will cross-check the final product against the prescription.
• Finally, a level is added that includes dosage instructions tailored to your health concerns. Any relevant warnings or storage instructions are noted as well, so you know how to use it safely.

Who Benefits Most from Personalised Medications?

Truly, anyone can benefit from a treatment plan that caters more specifically towards their needs. But we thought we might highlight some patient groups that we commonly deal with, who tend to have a much better experience with tailored care. 

NOTE: This is far from an exhaustive list and there are plenty of other groups that benefit greatly from customised medication.

• Young and Elderly Patients: These patients are more susceptible to the risks of incorrect dosages and allergic reactions. Plus, the flexibility of liquid suspensions, troches, or creams can make it easier to administer crucial medications if they struggle swallowing tablets.
• Patients with Chronic Conditions: Precisely matched strengths and combined therapies can reduce side effects and simplify regimens. Sometimes, a more targeted approach is required to make a dent in these complex conditions.
• Anyone with Allergies & Dietary Restrictions: Gluten, lactose, or dyes can be removed to avert unwanted reactions, without compromising effectiveness.
• Dermatology & Aesthetic Needs: Topical and customised treatments for acne, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation are more targeted and can often yield better results. Everyone’s skin is different, so why not use a treatment that is tailored towards your unique skin type.

 

Your Next Steps

We are all different, and it’s unrealistic to expect a single medication formula to address the full spectrum of patient needs. Compounding services crucially bridge the gap between uniform, mass-produced drugs and the nuanced demands of individual people. With the right tools and expertise, a pharmacist can craft anything from allergen-free formulations to crucial dosage adjustments. Ultimately, it’s about understanding you as a person to create treatments truly designed for your needs.

Zenith Pharmacy is dedicated to upholding the highest standards in safety, quality, and personalised care. We combine ongoing research, industry best practices, and genuine compassion to deliver medication solutions that fit your unique health goals.

Ready to explore a more personal approach to your prescriptions?

• Speak with our team today to discuss your medical history, sensitivities, or dosage concerns.
• Visit us in-store in Parramatta, Sydney or contact us online for more information regarding what we can do.

 

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes. For personalised medical guidance, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist.