Compound Pharmacies: Hard to Find, But Good to Have

In this age of mass production, it’s good to know there are still some ways to get exactly what we need, without all of the extras. This goes for our food at restaurants, the cars we buy, and it can even include pharmaceuticals.

Compounding, which is also called pharmaceutical compounding, is the practice of mixing drugs to fit a specific need without all of the extra, non-essential ingredients. For instance, some people have a difficult time swallowing pills. A compound pharmacist can take the drug the person needs and create the prescription in a liquid form. Compounding is also a great find for those who are allergic to ingredients used to give a pill a certain taste or consistency.

While compounding is a great option for those with particular needs, finding a compound pharmacist can be challenging. The typical pharmacies at big stores such as CVS, Kroger or Costco deal primarily with mass-produced pharmaceuticals. They don’t have the resources, time or inclination to cater to specific needs. But Grosse Pointe is different.

“We can make things that aren’t readily available on the market,” said Compound Pharmacist Sami Shimoon. “There are some local physicians who prescribe compound creams for pain relief and arthritis. We can make that here. There are some cough medicines, for instance, that we can add another two or three ingredients that work to treat certain coughs or asthma conditions.”

While compounding does not comprise the majority of prescriptions filled at Pointe Pharmacy, the Grosse Pointe Woods business is prepared when a customer with particular needs comes in the door. Why don’t more pharmacies do compounding? For one thing, it can be costly.

“It takes a lot of overhead,” Shimoon said. “The scale I use cost $3,000 and the ointment mixer is about $900.”

in Grosse Pointe’s Village, does some compounding, said pharmacist Rob Smith.

“Mainly we do liquids for kids’ prescriptions or lower doses of medications,” Smith explained. “This week we’ve done three, but usually it’s about one a week. And usually it’s the same customers.”

in Grosse Pointe Woods also does a small amount of compounding.

“About 15-20 years ago we made more compound prescriptions,” Shimoon said. “Today there are so many more prepackaged drugs for people.”

That means there are that many more options for doctors to easily write a prescription for a well-marketed and readily available drug instead of going through the exercise of listing the ingredients the patient needs.

According to Shimoon, the cost of [purchasing compound drugs is not always more than their prepackaged counterparts.

“Some compounds cost $3 or $4 and the majority of insurances pay for it,” he said.

It’s always good to know there are options; even with prescriptions.