A Little of This & a Little of That - Compounding Pharmacies vs. Traditional Pharmacies
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What Is a Compounding Pharmacy?
Compounding is the art and science of making personalized medications for patients by specially trained pharmacists. Compounded medications are made based on a practitioner's prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required for the patient.
Compounding Pharmacies
Advantages
- Has access to medications that are discontinued or on backorder
- Provides doctors with options for patients with customized medications
Provides Several Custom Options
- Alternative intake options — can be liquid or pills
- Material options — can be changed depending on allergies or tolerance levels
- Flavoring — medications can be flavored to improve compliance for children and pets
- Offers a unique service not available at most pharmacies
Disadvantages
- Not covered by all insurance companies
- Not FDA approved — overseen by a state pharmacy board
Traditional Pharmacies
Advantages
- Large number of locations
- More availability in types of medicine
- Covered by most insurance companies
Disadvantages
- Lack of custom options
Interested in experiencing the benefits of a compounding pharmacy? Contact CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy today, or learn more about what compounding is and how it can help you.
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2018-05-02CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy