Why Veterinary Compounding Is Evolving
Treating animal health issues often means facing unique challenges that standard medications are not suited to solve. Over time, people are beginning to understand the need for personalised care in veterinary medicine, especially when dealing with chronic pain, behavioural issues, or sensitivities to common commercial ingredients.
This demand has placed veterinary compounding at the forefront of pet healthcare, and the growth of the industry reflects that. But we’re also seeing innovations in technology and safety that are reshaping veterinary compounding, improving both the precision of treatments and access to these services.
As a compounding pharmacy ourselves, we’re keen to explore some of the advancements that are driving the evolution of veterinary compounding.
How Technology is Impacting Veterinary Compounding
Veterinary compounding has always been an art built on precision, guided by the expertise and dedication of skilled pharmacists. At Zenith Pharmacy, we believe that no matter how the industry evolves, the foundation of effective compounding will always rest on the knowledge and experience of our team. That said, there’s no denying that emerging technologies are reshaping the way we work.
We’ve welcomed several innovations that have streamlined processes, improved consistency, and expanded access to compounded medications. When paired with the expertise and attention to detail that remain at the heart of compounding, these advancements create opportunities to deliver even better outcomes for pets and their owners.
For example, advancements in automation have become an exciting development in veterinary compounding. Integrating advanced systems into the compounding process can minimise human error, ensure more precise dosing, and speed up production times. These improvements are particularly significant when preparing medications for small or exotic pets, where even minor miscalculations can have serious consequences.
Similarly, artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to play a role in personalising treatments. Emerging AI tools are analysing patient-specific data such as weight, species, and health conditions, making it easier to optimise formulations. While these technologies do not (and should not) replace the expertise of a trained compounding pharmacist, they can simplify certain aspects of customisation and remove much of the guesswork. AI tools are evolving rapidly, and when paired with human expertise, they do allow compounding pharmacies to tackle more complex cases with confidence.
It’s also worth mentioning the rise of e-commerce and telehealth, and how these have changed the industry. Digital platforms now make it easier for pet owners to access compounded medications, even in remote areas. Personalised treatments are now accessible to a wider audience, which has contributed to the growth of veterinary compounding and its adoption across a broader demographic.
The Potential of 3D Printing in Veterinary Compounding
3D printing has made waves in the pharmaceutical industry, introducing innovative ways to customise and produce medications. Its ability to create precise dosages, controlled release profiles, and multi-drug formulations has already demonstrated significant potential for personalised medicine.
As a technology designed to deliver highly tailored solutions, 3D printing holds immense promise for compounding. In veterinary compounding, potential applications could include producing micro-doses for small or exotic animals, creating formulations tailored to specific species, or designing flavoured chewables that make administering medication easier for pet owners.
There are significant regulatory, technical, and logistical hurdles to be addressed before 3D printing becomes a routine compounding tool. However, as the technology continues to gain momentum in the broader pharmaceutical industry, its potential applications in compounding are becoming increasingly clear. For veterinary compounding, these advancements could one day enable on-demand medications that meet the precise needs of pets without the delays or limitations of traditional processes.
Improved Personalisation for Difficult-to-Treat Conditions
Veterinary compounding has always been about customising medications to meet the unique needs of animals, but recent refinements in techniques and tools have enhanced our ability to address challenging conditions. While not always ground-breaking, the changes that have occurred over the years have made it easier to be precise and practical in our compounding process.
Refinements in Delivery Methods
For example, modern transdermal gel bases are now more sophisticated, allowing for better absorption and stability compared to older formulations. For cats with hyperthyroidism, we use these transdermal gels as a delivery method for compounded Methimazole, and we’ve noticed the improvements in application as the compounding process has become more refined. Similarly, flavouring agents have become more advanced, allowing antibiotics like Enrofloxacin to be formulated in ways that maintain stability while still improving palatability.
Greater Accuracy in Dosing
Highly sensitive digital scales and advanced compounding software have streamlined the process of creating precisely dosed medications. Pain relievers like Meloxicam can now be compounded with even greater accuracy for small animals, reducing the risk of toxicity. Essentially, these tools have made the process more efficient and consistent, particularly for complex cases.
Improved Ingredient Selection
Progress in the availability of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients has also made it easier to exclude potentially harmful excipients. Additives like Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs, can be readily avoided, ensuring compounded medications are safer for pets. We’re seeing a growing focus on safety and quality, both of which are critical in veterinary compounding.
Safety and Regulation: What is Changing?
Safety has always been a major priority for our team. But it’s also hard to ignore the greater prioritisation of safety and regulations across the whole industry. We feel that compounding pharmacies are now leveraging better quality controls and working harder to build a sense of trust and transparency with their patients.
Stricter Adherence to Regulatory Standards
Compliance with regulations has always been mandatory, but there has been a recent emphasis on enforcing and refining guidelines specific to compounding practices. For example, the Australian Veterinary Association’s guidelines have become more robust, focusing on ensuring compounded medications are prepared in ways that avoid contamination and maintain potency. This has been complemented by advances in compounding tools and techniques, which help ensure consistency and safety across all formulations.
Technological Advances in Quality Assurance
The use of modern compounding software and equipment has allowed for more precise measurements, reducing human error, and ensuring that compounded medications meet exact specifications. All these advancements have had a positive impact on quality assurance within the industry. When creating custom dosages for animals with unique biological needs, these tools have helped guarantee that each preparation is both safe and effective.
Improved Ingredient Transparency & Collaboration
Another key trend has been the push for greater transparency in ingredient sourcing. Pharmacies are now prioritising pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and providing clear documentation on sourcing to meet both regulatory standards and customer expectations.
We’ve also seen a closer collaboration between compounding pharmacies and veterinarians. This partnership ensures that every medication aligns with a pet’s broader health plan, allowing for tailored treatments that take into account both clinical and safety considerations. These collaborations have also led to the development of innovative solutions, such as medications specifically designed to address rare or emerging health conditions in animals.
The Future of Veterinary Compounding
Veterinary compounding is at an exciting crossroads. Emerging trends in technology, personalisation, and collaboration are not only addressing long-standing challenges but also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in pet healthcare.
While Zenith Pharmacy will always prioritise human expertise and experience, we’re also proud to be part of this evolution. Technology has the potential to make compounding more accessible, efficient, and scalable than ever before, especially in the hands of an expert team. Over time, we will continue to embrace innovations that improve medication quality and safety standards for our patients and their pets.Written By
Zen Xiao