In a world where the number of individuals encountering a chronic disease is increasing, medication compliance for disease management is important. According to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, less than 50 percent of patients take their medications appropriately, which in turn leads to poor disease control. While research into enhancing medication compliance is ongoing, it is worth considering whether compounding services could play a role in addressing the problem.

Achieving the right dose at an early stage 

One aspect of compounding services involves creating the correct dose. In certain conditions, such as hypertension, the dosage of the patient's drug can require reassessment in line with their kidney function. In patients who do take medications such as ACE inhibitors, achieving an accurate dose at an early stage can reduce the number of side effects they experience, which in turn enhances compliance. In addition, medications such as insulin and warfarin are frequently prone to prescribing errors, especially when patients move from their predictable home environment to a hospital environment where they may eat and drink less. In such instances, compounding services ensure accuracy and reduce the risk of adverse events that may steer patients away from their medications. 

Flavours make meds easier to manage in paediatric cases

In the wonderful world of children, meds that aren't palatable may not make it past their lips. Flavours vary between countries, with bubblegum faring well in the U.S. and European children preferring citrus tastes. Pharmacists who are able to produce a multitude of flavours are also aware of how different additives may interact with the medication's essential ingredients. As such, compounding services can create flavours that encourage paediatric patients to take the right dose, without creating adverse events due to ingredient reactions.

Treating ingredient-sensitive patients is easier

When something as simple as a dye leads to anaphylaxis yet the drug in question is still the best treatment available, compounding can remove the causative ingredients and give the patient access to gold standard approaches. In addition, some patients may require drug strengths that are outside of the licensed recommendations, a combination of medical therapies that matches their health history, or access to a medication that's on backorder. In such instances, compounding services provide access to the best medications, allowing patients to feel more comfortable with their treatment regimens.

While the battle to increase compliance is ongoing, individual practitioners can play a role in encouraging individual patients. With the right approach to pharmaceutical products, adhering to treatment plans may become easier.