Compounding Pharmacy
Advancements in the field of medical sciences have dramatically improved the quality of life and helped to enhance longevity in recent decades. However, mass-produced medications may still not serve the purpose in every case as some patients may have very specific needs. They may be allergic to certain ingredients in a particular medication, may require a less or more intensive dosage, or may be able to receive the medication in a different delivery form.
This is where compounding pharmacy plays a very important role to compliment the global medical industry. A compounding pharmacy specializes in the creation of customized medications beyond their ingredients, usage or delivery mechanism as specified on the drug label.
A physician’s prescription is usually necessary to receive a compounding drug. The compounding pharmacies in the US are regulated both by the federal government under the FDA and at the state level. American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) is a premier compounding pharmacy in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, and other Southern California areas.
Producing Customized Drugs
The distinctive element of a compounding pharmacy is that it will only produce highly specialized, customized medications that are tailored to meet a patient’s unique needs and prepared according to the physician’s specifications. Patients should note that compounded medications are not the same as generic drugs. Generic drugs are simply a non-brand-name version of a recognized branded drug.
In case of medications produced by a compounding pharmacy, the drug form is changed and it is not the same as the approved commercial medication. Patients should also be aware that certain dubious makers may fabricate a drug just to copy an FDA approved drug without having to undergo the rigorous approval process. These are not compounding medications, and these ‘mimic drugs’ may be hazardous as well as illegal.
AIP is a highly respected integrative pharmacy that offers a wide range of compounding medications for hormone replacement therapy, thyroid replacement therapy, pain management and cosmetic treatments. AIP addresses the needs of patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, and other areas in Southern California, apart from serving patients nationwide through its online pharmacy.
Need for Compounding Pharmacies
Many patients, including children, seniors, individuals with multiple illnesses, and others, may sometimes find it difficult to accept standard drugs due to various reasons. A licensed compounding pharmacy may be used in such cases to adjust the formulation in a favorable way to enable or improve compliance. Online pharmacies may also offer online prescription refills for the convenient of patients.
Changing, diluting, flavoring the ingredients, or modifying the delivery form may help to achieve this goal. In some cases, an approved drug may no longer be available, and a compounding medication may be used. However, patients should remember that lower cost alone is never a sufficient reason to use a drug from a compounding pharmacy.
Growth of Compounding Pharmacies
The compounding pharmacy industry has grown at a rate of 1.5 percent on average from 2009 to 2014, according to IBIS World. The annual growth rate is expected to increase to 3.5 percent over the next few years.
For more information on compound medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
