If you are considering using a compounding pharmacy for your medication needs, you need to ensure that your search is thorough, complete, and that you are ultimately satisfied with the business you selected. Seek references and read reviews. Speak with your doctor or another medical professional who is familiar with your needs to see who they would recommend. Ask family or friends if they have ever used such a service and see what their experiences were. These are the top ways to ensure that the pharmacy you choose is the right one for you.
If you are unfamiliar with the concept of compounding medication, it means, in the simplest of terms, that a pharmacist will prepare your medication in a very specific manner designed to fit your needs. This may include removing certain ingredients that would normally be found in mass-produced drugs that perhaps you may have an allergy to. It can also involve preparing the medication in a manner that is easiest for you to take, such as a liquid form rather than pill form. Be sure to speak to your health care provider to make sure that a compounded formula is really the right choice for you.
In order to locate a compounding pharmacy, try an internet search of the area, or consult your phone book. Once you have found those which are local to you, give each of your selections a call to explain your medication needs and find out what they have to offer you. Strongly consider inquiring about their handling practices of all ingredients that go in to the compound and what their quality control may be like. Be sure to ask if the pharmacist making the compounds is licensed. If they cannot answer these sorts of questions easily, or you are simply not satisfied with the answers they may give, move on to your next choice. Your health and safety is worth it.
If you’ve come across more than one compounding pharmacy that you find attractive, begin inquiring about pricing, regardless of whether you have insurance or not. Many times, for medications obtained in this form, an insurance company may require you to pay out of pocket up front, and will reimburse you upon your submission of a claim form, which can be provided to you by the pharmacist. If you have insurance, be sure to call them ahead of time and ask exactly how they handle this particular situation. It is possible that some may pay directly, leaving you to only pay your co-pay.
Lastly, check to see if the pharmacy has an online presence that allows for the submission of new prescriptions or refills of old. This can be a tremendous time saver if you intend to go pick up your prescription at a specific time, or you may even be offered the option of having the prescription shipped directly to you, if you’re unable to leave your home.
