Pharmaceutical Compounding: The Oldest, Most Symbolic, and Still Vital Part of Pharmacy
Author(s): Kochanowska-Karamyan Anna J
Issue: Sep/Oct 2016 - Volume 20, Number 5
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Page(s): 367-374
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Abstract: Historically, compounding has been always an integral part of pharmacy. Medications were prepared by pharmacists for individual patients and compounding was the only source of drugs before mass production by pharmaceutical companies. This trend started diminishing around the middle of the 20th century due to more drugs being produced by mass manufacturers. Shortly after, clinical pharmacy was introduced and many schools of pharmacy reorganized their curricula to address that change. As a result, many compounding courses have been removed and emphasis was shifted towards clinical classes. Currently, however, compounding is on the rise again, gaining more importance mainly due to the fact that it can provide an individualized approach to patient care. This review is aimed to discuss the challenges of compounding education and the main areas of growth for compounding, as well as advantages and disadvantages of compounded medications.
Related Keywords: history of compounding pharmacy, compounding pharmacy education, pharmacy schools, pharmaceutics, continuing education, growth areas, drug shortages, discontinued drugs, drug allergy, excipient sensitivity, patient compliance, children, elderly, geriatric patients, pediatric patients, veterinary compounding, specialty compounding, aseptic compounding, compounded sterile preparations, USP Compounding Compendium
Related Categories: EXCIPIENTS, HISTORY, LEGAL, PHARMACY EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL ISSUES, INFORMATION RESOURCES