What is compounding?  Compounding is the preparation of a customized medication to solve a problem or meet a specific patient need.  Together with physicians and their patients, our compounding pharmacy works to determine the most appropriate therapy for each individual.  For example, if a person is unable to take medication orally (perhaps due to nausea), we can often place needed medication into a transdermal gel that will allow the medication to be absorbed through the skin.  Some individuals are unable to take commercially available pharmaceuticals because they contain dye, sugar, alcohol, or lactose.  We can solve these problems by compounding a medication without the problem-causing additives.

If an elderly patient of small child needs a reduced strength of medication or is unable to swallow a tablet, our pharmacy can prepare a pleasantly flavoured liquid that can easily be administered.  Sometimes we prepare dosage forms containing more than one medication to simplify a confusing schedule and reduce the potential for medication errors.  If you have problems giving medicine to your pets, we can help by compounding the drug into a form and flavour that the animal will devour.  Here are several of the special needs we can help you satisfy:

• Optimal dose to achieve desired therapeutic goals, eliminating unnecessary waste and expense.
• Change in dosage form.  For example, a patient who is unable (or unwilling) to swallow may prefer a lozenge, lollipop, transdermal preparation, suppository, etc.
• Alternative route of administration to decrease the incidence of side effects (i.e. Gastrointestinal upset) or avoid "first-pass" liver metabolism.
• Elimination of sugar, dyes, flavours, preservatives, lactose, and other excipients which are not tolerated or may cause an allergic reaction.
• Combination of multiple medications into a single preparation (stability permitting) for more convenient use and improved compliance.

Do All Pharmacies Compound?

Compounding requires specialized equipment, bulk chemicals, and natural extracts that are not available in most pharmacies.  The pharmacists at Ford's Apothecary have extensive training and experience in modern compounding techniques.  We regularly attend continuing education seminars and conferences to enhance our compounding specialties.  We also are part of a network of compounding experts who continually disseminate new compounding breakthroughs.  By combining the ageless art of compounding with the latest medical research, knowledge, and state-of-the-art technology, we can offer practical solutions to our patients' medication problems.

Our pharmacists work together with physician prescribers and patients to prepare unique medications that are not commercially available - using the drug, delivery system, dosage form, strength, and flavour which will best meet each individual's special needs.  Do you have any of these problems?

• Menopausal Symptoms or Hormonal Imbalances
• Uncontrolled Pain
• Side Effects from Medicine
• Need to medicate a delicate child or pet

We can help you!  We are compounding pharmacists.  We make customized medications.  We also offer Natural and Herbal Medicines and a complete line of Nutritional Supplements.

At Ford’s Apothecary personalized compounding pharmacy service is our specialty!  We make every effort to find natural ways to get and stay healthy.  Spend a moment with our health and wellness professionals.  We'll help you find and select the appropriate balance of vitamins, herbal products, or natural remedies.

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