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Editorial: Compounding Around the World

The editorial this week is being written while participating in the XIII Congreso de Formulacion Magistral (13th Congress of Pharmaceutical Compounding), sponsored by the Asociaci�n Espa�ola de Farmaceutica Formulista (AEFF), being held May 7-9, 2009 in Murcia Spain. Murcia is located in the southeast part of Spain about 30 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea.

The primary theme of the Congress is "Hospital Pharmacy: Science and Technology of Patient Services." This 2.5 day Congress has presentations related to nonsterile and sterile compounding of many diverse dosage forms and formulations used in the treatment of numerous disorders and disease states. Registration has actually exceeded the capacity of the meeting facility this year.

In addition to the presentations by Spanish pharmacists, this editor was requested by the Scientific Committee planning the program to speak on: (1) The Current Status and Recent Changes in USP Compounding Standards, and (2) New Trends in Pharmaceutical Compounding in the U.S.

In addition, the Scientific Committee requested two presentations that are being given by Jerry Meece, Owner and Director of Clinical Services of Plaza Pharmacy and Wellness Center of Gainesville, Texas, on: (1) Diabetes: Compounding for Diabetic Disorders and (2) Laboratory/Compounding Methods and Techniques in Pharmacies in the U.S.

Compounding varies in the different regions of Spain. One region (Catalan/Barcelona) may compound up to 70% of prescriptions dispensed and others much less, depending upon the regulatory issues of the region.

Of note, one difficulty they are having is prescriptions compounded for the government-paid social security program. The computer does not allow physicians in this program the flexibility to alter the prescriptions so they can accommodate compounding. Thus, commercial products are the only options shown and must be dispensed. Patients that pay cash do not have this limitation and physicians can order compounded medications that meet their individual needs. Consequently, government-paid program patients must take what is available.

Overall, it is interesting to note that the differences in pharmacy compounding are becoming less pronounced between countries and that pharmacy compounding continues to grow throughout the world to meet the needs of individual patients.


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

CompoundingToday.com's formula database is improving and growing! The latest update almost doubles the number of formulas to over 2,000! All are now presented in a standardized, easy-to-print document that includes complete compounding instructions, source references, beyond-use-date information, uses and room for laboratory notes.

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�that things are changing so fast in our social and political system that can adversely impact pharmacists and pharmacy practice that if we don't ALL get involved, we will be left out!!!

Change Cautiously
It is well recognized throughout the world that the U.S. healthcare system is the BEST in the world! We must be cautious about making wholesale changes, as we may lose what we have. Don't forget the story about the dog carrying the bone across a bridge over a deep creek. He looked in and saw the reflection of a dog with a bone that looked larger than his. He let his bone go and tried to grab the one in the reflection and ended up losing what he had.