With Florida’s population boom in the past 10 years, residents must find health care that matches their needs. Getting to know the local compounding pharmacist can help with referrals to area doctors and help customize medications to meet their patients’ needs.
Guide is here to help anyone with a diagnosis figure out how to navigate health care. The “Becoming Your Own Health Advocate” series will have several future stories. These articles will break down the process. They will also arm readers with information to help along every step of the way.
Who are Compounding Pharmacists?
Compounding pharmacists work in laboratories, medical facilities or independent labs and can be associated with a medical doctor’s practice. These labs are a controlled, highly sterile and safe environment. Compounding pharmacists also work closely with area veterinary clinics to assist in compounding medications for pets and animals.
These specialized pharmacists are trained to understand all aspects of chemical compatibility. They must continue training throughout their careers to keep current on the trends and innovations in the pharmaceutical industry.
Services Compounding Pharmacists Can Provide
Both doctors and patients benefit from the services these specialists provide:
- Customize dosage forms like gels, creams, ointments, syrups, suppositories, capsules and other formulations
- Customize flavors of oral medications to ease the taste
- Create appropriate dosages for children
- Combine multiple drugs or supplements to lessen the amount taken each day
- Remove allergens, dyes or fillers in prescriptions that the patient may be allergic to
- Manufacturing of discontinued medication
- Veterinary medicines and supplements for pets can be compounded by a CP for the same reasons listed above
- CPs will work closely with the medical team to provide a patient-specific prescription
Accreditation Matters
Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) Accreditation is provided by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. This rigorous accreditation lets patients know the pharmacy has achieved the most extensive compliance in the industry.
Some of this industry’s adherence includes sourcing reliable chemical suppliers, ongoing comprehensive training and education and meeting their facility’s environmental standards. Only 3% of compounding pharmacies in the U.S. can claim this accolade. The PCAB or ACHC accreditation will be posted on their websites.
Many CPs specialize in various services and program areas, such as the following:
- Anti-aging
- Bioidentical hormone replacement
- Compression therapy
- Dermatology
- Digestive conditions
- Low Dose Naltrexone
- Numbing ointments
- Ophthalmology
- Pain creams
- Pediatric compounding
- Pet medications
- Podiatry
- Sinus infections
- Sports medicine
- Health and wellness supplements
- Urology
- Veterinary medications
- Men and women’s health
- Many other areas of compounding
Working closely with the compounding pharmacist can help patients receive the most innovative and comprehensive care for treatment.
Compounding Pharmacists Near Me
These are just a few ACHC/PCAB accredited compounding pharmacists in Greater Tampa Bay:
Rx Express Compounding Pharmacy
WHERE: 24718 State Road 54, Lutz
CONTACT: Call (813) 948-4321 or email [email protected]
Tampa Family Pharmacy
WHERE: 2919 W. Swann Ave., Ste. 101, Tampa
CONTACT: Call 813-871-5161 or email [email protected]
Carrollwood Compounding Center & Pharmacy
WHERE: 11775 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
CONTACT: Call 813-961-8798
By Deborah Holmén, M.Ed., NBCT.
