International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding Board of Directors
Edmond, Oklahoma

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc. (IJPC) is much more than a journal. True, the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) is distributed, in print and electronic versions, to over 80 countries, and it provides support for quality pharmaceutical compounding to tens of thousands of electronic users throughout the world. But it also provides many services of which you may not be aware. For example, IJPC�

�is active throughout the world in presenting compounding seminars and programs at various meetings, congresses, and expositions involving compounding pharmacists. The corporation also supports many international organizations by also presenting seminars and assisting in planning meetings.

�is very active in developing standards in compounding for the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.

�is involved in developing standards, training surveyors, and even surveying and evaluating surveys of pharmacies seeking accreditation.

�has worked with various state boards of pharmacy to clarify issues regarding compounding as these states modify their laws and regulations related to compounding.

�has participated in successful defense of many pharmacists involved in malpractice litigation.

�has supported efforts to defend pharmacy compounding nationally and internationally through expert reports, opinions, and consulting activities with attorneys.

�has many ancillary products to assist pharmacists in establishing and growing their compounding practices, including CDs, RxTriad marketing, CompoundingToday.com Newsletter, CompoundingToday.com Website.

�CompoundingToday.com website is developing into a major resource for compounding pharmacists throughout the world. It has the necessary tools for Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board accreditation as well as for daily practice, including standard operating procedures and prescription compounding formulas.

�is involved in preparation of books and other materials used in training pharmacy students and continuing education materials for practicing pharmacists and technicians.

�works with all the major US professional pharmaceutical organizations in supporting and promoting pharmacy compounding. IJPC also participates with many pharmaceutical companies in providing quality pharmacy compounding seminars.

�provides an e-mail discussion group, The Compounders' Network List, for pharmacy compounding personnel worldwide to ask and answer everyday questions regarding individualized patient care.

It is evident that many of these activities are not reflected in the $150 per year subscription rate for the journal, but they are definitely a part of the value of the journal. Your support of IJPC not only brings you an excellent journal, but also supports the efforts of IJPC to support quality compounding worldwide. As we enter into our second decade of service to the profession, please help spread the word of the value of IJPC to pharmacy compounding.


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., R.Ph
Editor-in-Chief

• Have a friend who needs the CompoundingToday.com e-newsletter? Forward them a copy of today's newsletter and let them know they can subscribe at http://CompoundingToday.com/Newsletter. It's FREE! It's easy. And maybe they will quit reading over your shoulder!
• Starting with the May/June 2007 issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, a new series of articles on implementing USP Chapter <797> will be published.

Each CD contains a collection of full-text articles on the CD topic that have been published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding for the first 10 years from 1997-2006. Price per CD is: 1 = $95; 2 to 5 = $85; 6 to 10 = $75; 10 and over = $65.

• Implementing USP Chapter <797>
• Compounding for Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Patients
• Compounding for Infusion and Sterile Preparation Patients
• Compounding for Veterinary Patients
• Compounding for Pain Management Patients
• Marketing, Legal, and Business Issues in Compounding Pharmacy
• Compounding for Peer-Reviewed Stability and Compatibility Studies
• Compounding for Cancer, Aids, and Hospice Care Patients
• Compounding for Dermatology and Wound Care Patients
• Compounding for Dental and Ophthalmic Patients
• Compounding for Pediatric and Geriatric Patients

Link right to them at www.ijpc.com/products/index.cfm or www.compoundingtoday.com/Products/

CompoundingToday.com's literature search database has now grown to over 4,600 abstracts and citations from 1,000 publications. This week we added 32 citations on miscellaneous dermatological topics including the ones mentioned on the Compounders' Network List (CNL), plus 30 on photodynamic therapy with an emphasis on skin disorders. Here is a sampling:

Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy: Medical evidence for its expanded use.
Gold MH. Expert Rev Med Devices 2006; 3(3): 357-371.

Stability of 5-aminolevulinic acid in novel non-aqueous gel and patch-type systems intended for topical application.
McCarron PA, Donnelly RF, Andrews G et al. J Pharm Sci 2005; 94(8): 1756-1771.

The use of photodynamic therapy in dermatology: Results of a consensus conference.
Nestor MS, Gold MH, Kauvar AN et al. J Drugs Dermatol 2006; 5(2): 140-154.

Training room management of medical conditions: Sports dermatology.
Cordoro KM, Ganz JE. Clin Sports Med 2005; 24(3): 565-598,viii-ix.

Effect of supplemented and topically applied antioxidant substances on human tissue.
Darvin M, Zastrow L, Sterry W et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2006; 19(5): 238-247.

This Regulatory Update has been provided by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP). For more information, www.iacprx.org.

IACP Counters Recent Flurry of FDA Warning Letters
On February 7, we sent an official response on behalf of IACP's membership to the FDA regarding its recent influx of warning letters to compounding pharmacies. We will keep IACP members apprised of further developments and FDA's response to our official letter.

Our letter makes several important points:

1. The FDA, by asserting all compounded drugs are unapproved new drugs under the FDCA, is ignoring the Medical Center et al v. Gonzales ruling that squarely addresses this issue. "The FDA an agency of the Executive Branch is openly disregarding a direct judicial ruling."
2. We urge the FDA to post the responses of the pharmacies that received warning letters on the FDA's website, allowing the pharmacies a venue to counteract the negative publicity that accompanies receipt of a warning letter.
3. The FDA is attempting to usurp the authority of state boards of pharmacy by attempting to regulate pharmacies, a role that traditionally is fulfilled by states.

Few medications are available commercially in liquid forms for children. Because of this fact, drug compounding is essential for the pediatric patient. Compounding pharmacists have a responsibility to ensure that the medications they prepare for children are based on reliable formulations that use appropriate excipients and are consistent in strength and stability. Read about the factors that come into play when compounding for the "small" patient in IJPC's January/February 2007 issue, pages 17 through 19, in an article titled Pediatric Oral Formulations: A Continual Challenge. This article discusses two of the biggest obstacles in pediatric compounding, (1) the lack of information and (2) the lack of standards. If you are not a subscriber you can purchase and download this article at www.ijpc.com/backissues/ArticleDescription.cfm?ABS=2509

Sign up today at www.IJPC.com and start your journal print and electronic subscriptions. You can download what you are currently subscribed to and purchase electronic access to our complete set of back issues.

Wireless Charging Coming Soon!
Still plugging in your cell phone, laptop, MP3 player, etc. to charge? Soon you will be able to simply set the device onto a "wireless charger" that will power and charge multiple devices with various power needs at the same speed as plugging in the traditional way. One of these charging systems work via induction, wherein an electromagnetic field on the base unit transfers power to the device's receiver. Another system by another company works another way that is not public yet. The spaghetti tangle or charger wires and misfitting adapters may soon be over. Scheduled to be available starting in 2008.