The Step-by-Step Compounding Process
We treat every compounded prescription with meticulous detail. Our pharmacists follow specialized formulation formulas and strictly controlled clinical procedures to ensure the highest standards of compounding quality.
- Step 1: Doctor's Prescription: Your provider transmits a valid prescription specifying the custom strength and form.
- Step 2: Pharmacist Consultation: We review your allergies, history, and confirm customized flavoring or form preferences.
- Step 3: Formulation Design: Our compounding experts pull the standardized compounding formula from our clinical library.
- Step 4: Meticulous Preparation: Compounding technicians weigh, mix, and homogenize the active ingredients using precise equipment.
- Step 5: Multi-Point Quality Check: We verify weight, consistency, packaging integrity, and label accuracy before release.
Common Compounding Questions & Answers
Our clinical compounding pharmacy is dedicated to clear education. Review our frequently asked questions to learn more about how custom medications are prepared.
- Q: What is a compounded medication?: A: A compounded medication is a customized drug prepared by a licensed pharmacist to fit the exact clinical needs of a patient, combining USP-grade ingredients in specific strengths and dosage forms, in accordance with USP 795, 797, and 800 guidelines for quality, safety, and sterility.
- Q: Do I need a prescription for compounded medications?: A: Yes. All compounded medications at Franwin Pharmacy are prepared according to a licensed healthcare practitioner's valid prescription.
- Q: Are compounded medications FDA-approved?: A: Compounded medications are prepared specifically for you, so they follow a different regulatory pathway than mass-manufactured commercial drugs. Rather than receiving individual FDA approval, each formulation is prepared under a valid prescription and rigorous pharmacy quality standards tailored to your unique clinical needs.
- Q: Does insurance cover compounded prescriptions?: A: Compounded medications are typically not covered directly by insurance, since they are prepared specifically for you rather than mass-produced. We provide universal claim forms (UCM) that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement, and we offer fair, competitive pricing with discounts available for bulk orders.
- Q: Can my child or elderly parent take compounded medication?: A: Yes. Children and older adults are often the patients who benefit most from compounding. If prescribed by your healthcare provider, a compounding pharmacist can alter the strength of a medication or change its form so that it's easier to take, including adjusting flavor for children.
- Q: Is compounding legal and safe?: A: Yes. The FDA has stated that compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal as long as they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner for a specific patient and compounded by a licensed pharmacy. Compounding is also regulated by state boards of pharmacy.
- Q: Does my doctor know about compounding?: A: Prescription compounding is becoming more well-known, but not every provider may realize the extent of its resurgence in recent years. Feel free to ask your physician about compounding, or get in touch with our pharmacists directly and we can coordinate with your provider.
Medical & Prescription Compliance Notice
All compounding processes at Franwin Pharmacy comply with state laws and professional compounding guidelines. Valid prescriptions are required before any compounding preparation begins.