Patient Experiences with Small-Scale Pharmacy Compounding

Investigators examined patients’ use, knowledge and perceptions of pharmacy compounding at an independent compounding pharmacy in Mandeville, Louisiana. Data were collected using a self-administered survey that patients could complete in hard-copy in the pharmacy or at home, or online using Qualtrics. Investigators found that, in some instances, patients who use compounded medications, or have a member of their household who uses compounded medications, may be more knowledgeable or have more positive perceptions of compounded medications. However, patients who did not have experience with compounds were not unknowledgeable about the practice and did not report any negative perceptions of compounding. These overall positive perceptions and high level of knowledge about compounded medications may be a product of this specific pharmacy, and the culture that the compounding pharmacist has created there, but further, in-depth, longitudinal, quantitative, and qualitative research is needed to confirm these findings. Furthermore, research is needed to determine if this trend is seen in other compounding pharmacies, and for other pharmacy services. Future confirmation of these findings has significant implications for pharmacists, and how the culture they create in their pharmacy can lead to enhanced knowledge, positive perceptions, and increased satisfaction among patients.