In the early years of medicine, prescriptions were individualized potions usually prepared for each patient by the town’s apothecary. Today, doctor-prescribed medications are primarily purchased in the one-size-fits-all category from the local chain pharmacy. Taking a cue from a growing demand for personalized customer service, savvy independent pharmacies are going back to “compounding,” the method of taking raw materials to create a dosage, strength, and consistency of medication that is customized for an individual. This service may be necessary, for instance, when a child can’t swallow a pill and it must be compounded into a flavored syrup, or when a menopausal woman needs to be treated with a unique mix of natural hormones.

Compounding is a lifesaver for Krystle Witherspoon, whose 3-year-old son, Jalen Young, has suffered from a plethora of allergies and hereditary asthma since he was an infant.  Jalen, who often experiences coughing fits, a runny nose, and watery eyes as a result of Central Florida’s ever-changing weather patterns, takes four medications prescribed by his Maitland-based pediatrician that are specific to his height, weight, and the severity of his issues.

“Because the weather is so inconsistent, Jalen is never symptom-free,” says Witherspoon. “He’s allergic to everything. We’ve been through lots of different medications to try to control his breathing problems.” Witherspoon picks up Jalen’s compounded prescriptions monthly to save time and has had to bring them to his day care center occasionally. She also keeps an over-the-counter antihistamine nearby in case of an emergency.

Dan Powell, director of business management at Olympia Compounding Pharmacy in Orlando, said business is growing as consumers search for medications that cater to their specific needs. “That’s the beauty of compounding,” he points out. “You can customize into several different dosage forms. It’s more patient-specific.”

Staff specialists at Olympia meet with each patient and use a systematic approach for developing a medication program specifically customized for that patient, Powell says. Since opening four years ago, Powell estimates the pharmacy fills approximately 4,500 prescriptions every month and roughly 90 percent of them are dispensed after compounding.

Pharmacy Specialists Compounding Pharmacy in Maitland offers a handful of options geared toward infants and children to make medicine taste better and make administration easier for parents.

These pharmacists compound oral medications, frequently spit out or spilled, into child-friendly, flavored edibles, such as freezer pops, “gummy bears” or lozenges, in bright colors that entice the child to take the medication. Medications prescribed as “swish and swallow” that need to be retained in the mouth for a prolonged period of time, can be formulated into lollipops. Many drugs can be compounded into easy-to-administer transdermal gels that are absorbed when applied directly to the skin.

Some compounding pharmacies, including Olympia, also offer veterinary compounded medications, creating customized formulas for horses, dogs, and cats.

According to the Professional Compounding Centers of America, compounding dates back to when pharmacy was in its infancy, with the height of the practice occurring in the 1930s and 1940s. The method waned in the 1950s and 60s with the dramatic increase in drug manufacturing and the growth of pharmaceutical companies, while the pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of pre-manufactured dosage forms.

Mat Gamba, a fourth year pharmacy student at the University of Florida, says that compounding is taught in pharmacy school, and pharmacists have split into two specialties: compounding and dispensing. Preparing to graduate in May, Gamba is finishing up his statewide pharmacy rotations which include working at a compounding pharmacy in Tampa. “In years past, compounding was the norm,” he says. “With the growing popularity of chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies had to figure out a way to set themselves apart from their counterparts.

Understandably, this specialized service can be expensive in some cases. Depending on the type of medications used and the time the pharmacist spends researching and preparing the dosage, the end result can often be a higher cost. However, compounding pharmacies such as Olympia, offer a “Meet or Beat” price policy to be more competitive with big box pharmacies.

Jalen’s symptoms are not as controlled as his Mom and his doctor would like them to be, but Witherspoon is happy that her son’s medications are compounded specifically to meet his needs. If the doctor had to increase the dosage using standard manufactured medication to reduce the symptoms, Jalen would have to move up to adult doses. “It’s reassuring that Jalen’s medications are customized for him and that he doesn’t have to take adult dosages any sooner than necessary,” she says. “It’s not only good for his health, but it’s good for the family budget.”