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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between commercially available drugs and compounded medications?

Commercially available drugs are manufactured by drug companies in mass quantities for the general population with no specific patient in mind. Compounded medications are ordered by a doctor, individually prepared by a compounding pharmacy and made specifically for your unique medical need.

What is compounding?
Pharmaceutical compounding is the art and science of creating custom medications for patients.

In the history of the profession of pharmacy, pharmacists would compound medications as per a prescribers order – we’re here to keep this tradition and standard of care alive.

QC Pharma leverages cutting-edge developments in pharmacology to develop more innovative and personalized treatment solutions for patients.

We work with prescribers and/or patients to creatively solve challenging medical problems with specialized drug products.

Pharmaceutical ingredients are mixed in personalized strengths to create a variety of convenient dosage forms, much the way pharmacists used to treat all patients before the advent of the mass-marketed pharmaceutical industry.

We can customize for a specific dosage, dosage form, ingredients and schedule.

We can also cater to patients with allergies and dietary restrictions with gluten, dye, and sugar-free options.

In addition, studies show compounded medications to generally have higher compliance rates than mass-produced options. When your doctor prescribes a compounded medication that will be custom-prepared for your specific needs, by one of our highly-specialized compounding pharmacists, you know that your doctor cares about you and treats you as a unique individual with unique treatment needs, and not as a disease.

Do I need a prescription for compounded products?
Compounds containing scheduled ingredients require a prescription. Some products however may be purchased over the counter. Please speak to one of our pharmacists if you are unsure.
Is compounding safe?
Compounding has been part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy, compounding is widely used today in all areas of the industry from hospitals to nuclear medicine. Over the last few decades, the resurgence of compounding has benefited largely from advances in technology, quality control and research methodology.

QC Pharma compounds all medications in accordance with the relevant Acts and Guidelines – we also draw on international guidelines to remain at the forefront of this sphere of pharmacy.

For Prescribers

Why should I prescribe compounded medications to my patients?
When regular prescriptions are not getting the results your patient needs, compounded medications offer a more individualized approach. By creating a medication specifically for a patient, you can develop a treatment regimen that better addresses their unique needs and challenges. For many conditions, mass-produced formulations are lacking or they are difficult to find in the exact dosage or strength your patient needs. Custom-tailored medications expand your treatment choices and provide more possibilities with tricky patients.

In addition, studies show compounded medications to generally have higher compliance rates than mass-produced options. Patients become more compliant with your prescribed therapy and achieve the therapeutic result desired. Prescribing compounded medications for your patients lets your patient know that you are treating them as an individual and are not pigeonholing them into a “one-size-fits-all” therapy. This can strengthen your relationship with your patient and improve patient care and satisfaction.

What’s the difference between the medication I get from QC Pharma and the medicines I get from a regular pharmacy chain?
Most pharmacy chains only dispense pre-made medicines and other treatments in standard doses. QC Pharmacy custom-makes every prescription for the individual patient. The active pharmaceutical ingredients are the same, but QC Pharma medications have personalized doses, unique application methods, and hypoallergenic inactive ingredients that may make an individual’s treatment more effective.
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