Setting up a national system of compounding pharmacies: preventing error, assuring quality, building trust

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Health Policy

Background:

• Compounding pharmacies globally face significant challenges influencing legislation, building consumer and prescriber confidence, and enhancing communication with the medical profession.
• Regulatory changes, such as new legislation impacting operating costs, present complex hurdles for compounding businesses.
• The necessity of custom-made, individualized drugs underscores the critical role of compounding pharmacies in optimal patient treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address challenges in compounding pharmacy practice, particularly those arising from new legislation.
• To develop and implement a system for monitoring and improving compounding practices.
• To reinforce the role of compounding pharmacies as essential partners in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• A systematic effort was undertaken to prevent errors and improve quality in compounding practices.
• The Brazilian National Association of Compounding Pharmacies, supported by compounding pharmacists, developed a national monitoring system.
• The implemented system focuses on processes within compounding practices.

Main Results:

• A National System for the Monitoring and Improvement of Compounding Practices was successfully developed and implemented.
• The system aims to mitigate deadlocks caused by new legislation and enhance operational quality.
• Pharmacist collaboration was instrumental in the system's creation and rollout.

Conclusions:

• Guidance and systematic monitoring are crucial for overcoming challenges in compounding pharmacy.
• The developed national system provides a framework for continuous quality improvement in compounding.
• Compounding pharmacies are integral to personalized medicine and must be recognized as healthcare partners.