Here Is Information On Compounding Pharmacy In Ocala FL

By Douglas Murray


Drug compounding refers to the process of creating pharmaceutical preparation such as a drug by a licensed pharmacist. The drug is made in order to satisfy the unique needs of individual patients when the needs cannot be met by a commercially available drug. The patient may be a human being or an animal. The process involves mixing, packaging, altering, assembling, preparing, and labeling among other processes. Here are facts regarding Compounding pharmacy in Ocala FL.

Pharmaceutical preparation is carried out or supervised by a licensed pharmacist pursuant to a prescription from a medical practitioner. The pharmacist must be licensed by the state board. On the other hand, manufacturing of drugs can only be done after being approved by the FDA. Before any drug goes into production, it must be investigated and tested thoroughly by the FDA to ensure that it is effective and safe for use.

To this effect, approval by the state board is required in for one to be able to compound drugs while FDA approval is necessary in manufacturing. Manufacturing involves mass production of drugs since they are intended for use by the masses. Once produced, the medicines are then wholesaled to healthcare officers, pharmacies and hospitals among other entities, which in turn retail to end users. Only entities that are approved by federal and state authorities are allowed to sell manufactured drugs.

Compounded drugs cannot be sold to other entities in order to be distributed to end consumers. In fact, the drugs are not supposed to be commercialized. They are supposed to be produced for a specific patient or patients in exact dosage. The surplus that remains cannot be sold to other patients or commercialized because it is illegal.

Some kind of compounding activity is carried out by most pharmacies. For effective production of compounded medicine to occur, a pharmacy should make proper investment in acquiring equipment and providing staff with training. The employees in these pharmacies should be well trained and this can only be achieved in medical schools. Medical trainees can opt to specialize in compounding while still undergoing training so as to pursue this path in their careers.

Among the apparatus needed for the procedure include mortar and pestle that are used for pounding ingredients and graduated cylinders used in measuring liquids. The ingredients are mixed using spatulas and scales are used to weigh the ingredients for proper ratios. The process is completed on ointment slabs. These drugs are made in various forms such as liquids that are injected into the blood stream and capsules that are swallowed. Creams and ointments are also available for applying on the skin.

The United States stands out with the highest number of compounding pharmacies in the world. Approximations put this number at 56, 000 pharmacies. About 7, 500 of all these pharmacies have a specialty in producing compounded drugs. That means that producing these drugs makes the highest proportion of their activities. Thus, accessing their services is easy.

Obtaining a prescription is compulsory for a patient before they are allowed to purchase compounded medicines. This serves to protect end users and to avoid abuse. Pharmacists are not supposed to compound medicines to patients unless they have verified the authenticity of the prescription provided.




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