The birth of compounding in the Western world can be traced back to Medieval times. The appearance of specialized professionals, the forerunners of modern pharmacists, occurred in Baghdad around the 9th century AD. By the 19th century, there was a clear distinction between the doctor (acting as therapist) and the pharmacist (as compounder of medications).

In the early 20th century, up through the 1940’s, about 60% of all medications were compounded by the pharmacist. Post World War II saw the rise of large pharmaceutical companies, who found greater efficiencies and lower cost through the manufacture of standardized dosages and forms. The pharmacist became, for the most part, a dispenser of predetermined dosage forms, and the science of compounding was largely forgotten.

Today compounding is experiencing a resurgence, as modern technology and new techniques have permitted greater customization in the pharmacy. Pharmacists work closely with physicians and their patients to give them the dosages and forms they require for optimum health.

To see if you might benefit from a custom compounded prescription, consult your doctor or health care provider. Some indications that this route might be right for you include:

	Inadequate manufactured dosage forms Manufactured medications may contain too much or too little of the medication you need. We can give you the exact amount your doctor recommends.
	Difficult dosage forms Most medications are available in only capsules or tablets. For those who have trouble swallowing, or who have gastric difficulties, we can provide alternative forms, such as liquids.
	Discontinued medications If a medication does not have a high demand, a large pharmaceutical company may no longer produce it. If the essential chemicals are still available, we can compound it for you.
	Allergic reactions Your prescribed medication may agree with you perfectly, yet the preservatives, flavors, dyes, and binders used in the manufacture of these medications may cause an allergic reaction. We can prepare your medication free of these reactive components.
	Bad taste We all know this one - ugh!- Our selection of flavors and dosage forms can banish “Ugh!” forever. This is especially appreciated by those who need to treat chronic health problems!