Prescription Compounding

Prescription compounding is the preparation of a medication by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a formulation tailored to an individual patient's needs. The FDA distinguishes compounded drugs from FDA-approved manufactured drug products: compounded drugs are not FDA approved, and the agency does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing in the same way it reviews approved drugs.

Compounding can be relevant when a patient has a clinical need that cannot be met by an available FDA-approved product. The exact reason, prescription, ingredients, dosage form, and legal requirements depend on the individual situation.

What compounding can change in general

In pharmacy practice generally, a compounded prescription may involve a change in formulation when an appropriate prescriber determines that an individualized preparation is needed. Examples can include differences in dosage form, strength, or removal of a particular inactive ingredient.

Those examples describe compounding in general. Contact Valencia Town Center Pharmacy to ask whether a specific prescribed formulation can currently be accommodated.

Ask about a specific prescription

If you have a prescription or expect a prescriber to recommend a compounded formulation, contact Valencia Town Center Pharmacy at (661) 291-1800 and ask whether that particular prescription can currently be accommodated.

When calling, it may help to have the prescription details or prescriber's information available. The pharmacy may need to review the requested formulation and applicable requirements before it can confirm whether the prescription can be prepared.

Compounded drugs and FDA approval

FDA explains that compounded drugs can serve an important medical need in some circumstances but are not FDA-approved products. Patients should use compounded medications only in the context of an appropriate prescription and professional care.

Compounding questions are prescription-specific. A formulation that is appropriate or legally permissible in one situation may not apply to another, and the pharmacy's ability to accommodate a request can depend on the requested preparation and current circumstances.

For current information about a specific prescription or formulation, contact Valencia Town Center Pharmacy directly.