Compounding Services

Most medicine rolls off a production line in identical packs. Compounding pharmacies do the opposite: they prepare a medicine by hand for one specific patient, when a suitable commercial product is not available or not appropriate. It is one of the oldest parts of pharmacy and still solves problems off-the-shelf products cannot.

What is compounding?

Compounding is the preparation of a customised medicine for an individual patient against a prescription. A compounded medicine is not the same as a mass-manufactured product: it is made in smaller quantities, often has a shorter expiry, may need specific storage, and usually costs more because someone prepares it individually.

When it helps

Compounding can be useful when:

you are allergic to a dye, preservative, or filler in the only commercial version;
you need an unusual strength, or a very low starting dose;
you cannot swallow tablets and need a liquid;
a child needs a dose based on their weight, or a flavour they will accept;
a pet needs a medicine in a form it will take (on a vet’s prescription);
a commercial product is in short supply.

A good compounder will also tell you when a commercial product, or a different approach, is the safer choice.

Who is it for?

Anyone whose prescriber has decided a standard product will not work for them. You will need a prescription, and it helps to discuss the specifics with both your prescriber and the compounding pharmacist before you commit.

Questions to ask before you order

Is there a commercial product that should be used instead?
Can the pharmacy make this exact medicine and strength?
What is the beyond-use (expiry) date, and how should it be stored?
What will it cost, and can any of it be claimed?

For children and pets, ask how the dose is measured and whether flavouring affects storage or expiry.

Safety and limits

Compounded medicines are generally not assessed by the TGA for safety, quality, and effectiveness the way registered products are, so they should be used only when a suitable approved product is not appropriate. Some medicines cannot be compounded safely, and others taste unpleasant even with flavouring. Use a reputable compounder, follow the storage and expiry instructions exactly, and keep your prescriber in the loop.

How it’s regulated in Australia

Compounding is governed by the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s guidelines on compounding, which set standards pharmacists must meet, and by the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s rules on compounded and unapproved medicines. Pharmacists who compound are registered with the Pharmacy Board and work within those standards.