International Pharmaceutical Federation

Author(s):  Reis Maria,Carvalho Maria,Rodrigues Angelo

Issue: Compounding Practices in a Portuguese Community Pharmacy
Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounding in community pharmacy is currently a common practice in Portugal. The foundation of a national compounding department, the development of a national galenic formulary and the approval of up-to-date legislation contributed to the modernization of compounding practices in the past decade. Currently, all Portuguese community pharmacies have a compounding laboratory and minimum equipment for the preparation of non-sterile (traditional) compounded medicines. A few community pharmacies specialized in pharmaceutical compounding and also prepare innovative dosage forms for complex patients. Sterile compounded medicines are still prepared exclusively in the hospital setting.
The compounded medicines dispensed by the Pharmacy Lordelo (Vila Real, Portugal) in 2012 were systematically reviewed and analyzed. The most frequently dispensed dosage forms were oral liquids. Trimethoprim, omeprazole and nitrofurantoin represented the top 3 oral liquids dispensed. The most common medical specialties were pediatric patients (need for individual strengths and dosage forms) and dermatology patients (need for special combinations). Compounding for medicine’s shortages and discontinued medicines was particularly important in the past year, considering the increasing disruptions in the medicines supply chain.
In Portugal, pharmaceutical compounding represents an invaluable therapeutic alternative that meets the need of individual (complex) patients, which cannot be met by the pharmaceutical industry, and is increasingly important in today’s health care provision.

Related Keywords: Maria Reis, PharmD, Maria Carvalho, PhD, Angelo Rodrigues, PhD, Portugal