In pharmacy practice, what does 'compounding' mean?

Compounding refers specifically to the process of creating personalized medications tailored to meet the unique needs of individual patients. This can include altering dosages, changing the form of a medication (such as turning a solid pill into a liquid), or combining different medications into a single dose for a patient. The goal of compounding is to ensure that a patient receives a medication that is optimal for their specific health requirements, which may not be achievable through commercially available options.

This individualized approach is crucial in instances where patients may have allergies to certain ingredients, require a specific strength that is not available, or need a medication that isn't produced in a standard dosage form. Compounding allows pharmacists to work closely with healthcare providers to formulate the most effective therapy for a patient’s unique situation, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.