What Is a Compounding Pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy is a specialized pharmacy that prepares personalized medications for patients as ordered by your dermatologist. Unlike traditional pharmacies that typically dispense commercially manufactured drugs, compounding pharmacies create custom formulations based on a healthcare provider's specific prescription tailored to a patient’s condition and disease state.
Why do dermatologists use compounding pharmacies?
Due to the rising costs of medication, out-of-pocket expense to patients, and insurance denials of commonly prescribed medications, your dermatologist may use compounding pharmacies to help you get affordable access to a recommended treatment. Other reasons include:
Dermatologists can create formulations that combine multiple active ingredients, improving convenience and compliance and potentially enhancing effectiveness.
Compounding allows for adjustments in dosage, strength, or formulation (ointment vs. cream vs. gel) to suit individual needs.
Compounding provides the doctor and patient with ingredients and combinations that may not be FDA-approved but have still been found to be successful in the treatment of common and uncommon skin disorders (also known as off-label treatments).
Compounded medications make it possible to exclude ingredients that some patients may be allergic to.
Some medications may be discontinued or unavailable at a commercial level due to shortages, but compounding pharmacies can recreate these treatments that have been used successfully.
Overall, compounding pharmacies provide a flexible option for dermatologists to prescribe potentially more economical, accessible, and customized treatments to help meet their patients’ needs.
Any questions? Consult one of our board-certified dermatologists. Please contact SSDP to schedule an appointment with any of our physicians.
