Choosing a compounding pharmacy is an important decision that can significantly impact your health or the health of your pet. Unlike traditional pharmacies, compounding pharmacies provide customized medications designed to meet an individual patient’s needs. Order fulfillment at a compounding pharmacy is much more involved than order fulfillment at a regular pharmacy, which is why it is so critical to vet your compounding pharmacy for quality, safety, and service. When selecting a compounding pharmacy, patients should inquire about third party accreditation. Possession of third party accreditation publicly displays a pharmacy’s commitment to holding themselves to quality and safety standards that are typically above and beyond what is required. Additionally, it is important to ensure the pharmacy conducts routine third party product testing, is properly licensed and complies with sterility standards for any compounded sterile products. Obtaining answers to a few of the piercing questions you ask your compounding pharmacy will help you feel confident in the care and treatment you receive.
Check for PCAB Accreditation
PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accreditation is one of a few accreditation options that compounding pharmacies can pursue. In order for a compounding pharmacy to obtain PCAB accreditation the pharmacy must adhere to the highest industry standards for compounding practices, including safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. PCAB-accredited pharmacies undergo voluntary evaluations, including inspections and ongoing assessments. Prioritizing PCAB accreditation in your selection criteria will maximize your confidence in your pharmacy to follow best practices and maintain a safe and reliable environment for medication preparation.
Evaluate Quality Products and Ingredients
To comply with FDA and state board of pharmacy regulations, compounding pharmacies must use the highest quality products and ingredients available for compounding. The safety and efficacy of compounded medications depend on the quality of the raw materials. Compounding pharmacies must source their ingredients from licensed and reputable suppliers to ensure all products meet quality standards. When selecting a compounding pharmacy, patients should inquire about who their compounding pharmacy sources ingredients from and what quality control steps are taken to guarantee the materials they are using are pure, potent, and contamination-free. If a patient finds it useful, they may ask a compounding pharmacy for the ingredient manufacturer’s “certificate of analysis” which contains all of the pertinent data concerning quality control.
Ensure Pharmaceutical Training and Qualifications
The expertise of pharmacists and technicians at a compounding pharmacy is the bottom line differentiator between an average compounding pharmacy and an exceptional one. Exceptional compounding pharmacies will have a robust training/development program for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. When evaluating a compounding pharmacy, patients should inquire about the pharmacy’s training program to make sure that they have one and make sure their program evaluates individual employees’ abilities to produce quality products. Patients should also ask about the qualifications of pharmacy staff and see if they engage in ongoing education to stay up to date with evolving practices.
Confirm Third Party Product Testing
To ensure the safety, potency and sterility (if sterile) of compounded medications, compounding pharmacies must send out samples of their products to third party labs for testing. Compounding pharmacies should be routinely testing any compounded product that they make in a batch (product a large quantity of) via a third party. In addition to batch product testing, compounding pharmacies should also be sending samples of products made by each compounding personnel within the organization to verify that each compounder is sufficient at producing a quality product. When selecting a compounding pharmacy, patients should ask if the pharmacy conducts regular product testing and see if the pharmacy would be willing to provide proof of testing upon request.
Verify State Licensure
Compounding pharmacies (and regular pharmacies) must obtain a license from each state that it wishes to provide services in. Each state has its own Board of Pharmacy that enforces its own rules pertaining to the practice of pharmacy in their own state. A pharmacy’s licensure status in a given state can be verified on each state board of pharmacy’s website. Any past disciplinary action, issued by the board of pharmacy, is public information that can be viewed on the board of pharmacy’s website. A licensed pharmacy is subject to periodic inspections by the state board of pharmacy to be compliant with safety, and quality standards. This helps to ensure that the pharmacy is accountable and operates with a commitment to patient safety.
Guarantee Compliance with Sterility Standards
For compounded medications that require sterile preparation, it is important to guarantee that the pharmacy complies with strict sterility standards. Sterility is critical for medications that are injected, administered into the eyes, or applied to internal body tissues. A reputable compounding pharmacy will have protocols in place to maintain a sterile environment, including the use of clean rooms, HEPA filtration systems, and proper sterilization procedures. A pharmacy committed to quality sterile compounding will also regularly test their sterile workflows and processes to maintain ongoing compliance. If a patient requires a compounding sterile product it is especially important to inquire about sterility standards and any board certifications in sterile compounding.
Choosing the right compounding pharmacy is essential for maximizing positive health outcomes. Inquiring about a pharmacy’s accreditation status, use of quality ingredients, staff training, and product testing procedures, will ensure that your decision on which pharmacy to use will be well informed. Northwest Compounders is committed to providing the highest quality compounded medications with care and speed. We’re here to help with any questions or needs you may have. Feel free to call us at (503) 352-3811 or email us at info@northwestcompounders.com.
