9 Reasons for GPs to be Aware of Compounding

Compounding is something that many Australian doctors who are less than 50 years old will have had little exposure to. The following are just some reasons why GPs should think about incorporating compounding into their range of options for treating their patients:

1. Compounding allows pharmacists to provide tailored pharmaceutical care services for each patient.
2. Compounding  provides GPs with a broader range of treatment options:  many more  dosage formats and dose flexibility.   
3. Compounded medications can fill specific needs often not met by commercially available medications.   
4. Informal evidence shows that compounding pharmacists enjoy increased levels of communication as a team their patient and the patient’s GP.   
5. When prescribing compounded medication GPs are bringing the pharmacist into the care team and increasing the chances of the patient complying with the treatment recommended by the GP.   
6. GPs who have worked closely with experienced compounding pharmacists come to respect and depend upon them because they have become an active "problem solver" for the benefit of both the GP and their patients.   
7. Modern local compounding pharmacies use sophisticated processes and equipment to dispense quality products that meet patient’s specific needs; strict documentation to enforce quality  control, continuous independent third party testing of their quality control, electronic balances, clean rooms, training and education.  
8. The responsibility to compound safe, effective prescriptions for patients who require special care is fundamental to the pharmacy profession.  But conventional retail pharmacists are sometimes more focused on dispensing off-the-shelf products and have less opportunity to become directly involved in patient care.  
9. Compounding pharmacists are the only members of the inter-disciplinary team possessing the training, knowledge and skill required to compound and prepare medications to meet a patient's personal needs.

I recommend that GPs take the first step to building a relationship with the local compounding pharmacist by dropping into their dispensary and seeing that the exotic storage jars, mortars and pestles have been replaced by high technology.  They will also find a professional who is keen to make a contribution to the interdisciplinary care team, for the benefit of the GP’s patients.

Kim Rumble   B Pharm   MPS  PCCA 

The Compounding Pharmacy Australia

50 Avenue Road, Mosman  NSW  2088

email:     info@tcpa.com.au

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