Commercially available pharmaceuticals often fit the wants of veterinary patients, but sometimes issues arise that impede an animal from taking the drug of choice. A veterinary pharmacy might specialize in individualized pharmaceutical therapies to address such dosing problems. Such facilities are called compounding pharmacies and are operated per state and federal regulations by specially trained pharmacists and technicians.

Compounding could be the extemporaneous preparation of a customized pharmaceutical by prescription order from a licensed practitioner. Compounders work in a triad relationship between patient, practitioner, and pharmacist to troubleshoot medication problems and provide individualized therapy to market the specified healthcare outcome. In the veterinary realm, compounders can tailor-make drugs for most animals, except for food and food-producing animals per state and federal regulations. What kinds of animals might take advantage of compounding? Pets, performance animals, work animals, rescued wildlife, exotics, and more.

Several factors, working singularly or in combination, can subscribe to patient noncompliance with preferred pharmaceutical. A medication could have an unpalatable taste, texture, or scent. The route of administration could need tweaking (such as changing from a product to an oral liquid) or rerouting altogether (such as switching from a product to a transdermal gel). Preferred therapy might be on temporary back-order or manufacturer discontinued, or the commercially available drug may be too strong for smaller patients (available only in an unscored tablet that cannot be split accurately, for example). Last but not least, the commercially available pharmaceutical might contain irritants or allergens that may be eliminated.

Some of the very most frequently requested veterinary compounds include transdermal gels and palatable liquid medications containing active ingredients like methimazole and metronidazole, prescribed often for hard-to-dose cats. Pergolide capsules for horses are also in high demand. Potassium bromide capsules and solutions are also frequently requested. Considering that the economic downturn, specialty pharmacies have been busy compounding pharmaceuticals that are FDA approved but on temporary back-order or manufacturer discontinued.

Whenever choosing a veterinary compounding pharmacy, you ought to ask several questions. Just how long gets the pharmacy been in business? Does it charge for shipping? May be the facility licensed to dispense in your state? Does the pharmacy offer compound price matching? Does the pharmacy have a sterile clean room for compounding injectables and ophthalmics?

A veterinary compounding pharmacy can be a helpful partner for practitioners and patients in promoting desired healthcare outcomes through individualized pharmaceutical therapy.