Personalized Medicine in Calgary: How Compounding Helps Manage Chronic Conditions
Living with a chronic condition often means taking multiple medications every day. Pills can be large and hard to swallow, some formulations contain dyes or preservatives that cause reactions, and commercially available strengths may not be suitable for every patient. That’s where compounding comes in – a pharmacist’s craft of creating personalized medications tailored to an individual’s needs. At Evergreen Compounding Pharmacy in Calgary, we specialize in this service while adhering to the Alberta College of Pharmacy standards. This article explains why compounded medicines matter for seniors and people with chronic diseases and how they can support better health outcomes.
What Is Compounding?
Compounding is the preparation of a custom medication by combining, mixing or altering ingredients to meet the unique needs of a patient. It is not the same as manufacturing; rather, it is a regulated professional service offered by pharmacists under provincial authority. Common reasons for compounding include:
- Removing allergens or intolerances. Many mass‑produced tablets contain dyes, preservatives or fillers that some patients cannot tolerate. Compounded formulations can exclude these ingredients.
- Adjusting strengths or dosage forms. Children and older adults may need smaller doses or alternative forms such as liquids, creams or lozenges. Compounding allows pharmacists to convert pills into liquids or topical preparations.
- Combining active ingredients. Patients with chronic diseases often take multiple medications. Compounding can combine compatible active ingredients into a single dosage form to simplify administration.
- Improving palatability. Flavours can be added to liquids or suspensions to make them more pleasant for children or seniors who struggle with bitter tastes.
By customising medications, pharmacists can help patients who might otherwise forgo treatment due to side effects, swallowing difficulties or cost.
Who Benefits from Compounding?
Seniors and People with Chronic Conditions
Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis often require long‑term medication regimens. Age‑related changes in metabolism and swallowing difficulties make standard dosage forms less suitable. Compounded medications can provide lower doses to reduce side effects or create liquid suspensions for patients who cannot swallow tablets. Moreover, combining multiple ingredients into a single dose reduces pill burden and may enhance adherence.
Children and Infants
Young children may resist taking pills or may require doses that are smaller than commercially available products. Pharmacists can create pleasantly flavoured suspensions or lozenges tailored to their weight and developmental stage.
Patients with Allergies or Sensitivities
Food dyes, gluten, lactose, and certain preservatives can trigger adverse reactions. Removing these from a compounded medication helps ensure safety and comfort.
The Role of Compounding in Chronic Disease Management
- Improved adherence. Simplifying regimens by combining ingredients and creating easier‑to‑take dosage forms can increase adherence. Studies show that pharmacist‑led medication reviews and personalized interventions improve medication adherence in over 70 % of older adults.
- Tailored dosing. Standard tablet strengths may not be ideal for all patients. Compounding allows incremental dose adjustments to achieve optimal therapeutic effect while minimizing side effects.
- Enhanced quality of life. Removing allergens and customising flavours reduces discomfort and increases the likelihood that patients will continue therapy.
- Continuity of care. During drug shortages or discontinuations, compounding may provide access to formulations that are otherwise unavailable.
Safety and Regulation
Compounded medicines are regulated under provincial pharmacy practice legislation. Unlike mass‑produced products, compounded medications are not subject to pre‑market approval; therefore quality depends on the skill and training of the compounding pharmacist. Evergreen Compounding Pharmacy employs pharmacists trained in different kinds of non‑sterile compounding (Type B) and other types of custom compounding. We use high‑quality ingredients, maintain rigorous quality assurance protocols and document every step of the process. We do not compound controlled substances or unapproved drug combinations. As always, we follow the Alberta College of Pharmacy guidelines and collaborate with prescribing physicians to ensure that compounded medications are clinically appropriate.
Compounding Services at Evergreen
At Evergreen Compounding Pharmacy we offer:
- Custom capsules and tablets for specific strengths or combinations of active ingredients.
- Flavoured suspensions, syrups and lollipops for children and seniors who have difficulty swallowing.
- Topical creams and gels for pain management, dermatological conditions or hormone therapy (without naming specific products).
- Suppositories or troches when gastrointestinal absorption is an issue.
Our pharmacists will work with your physician or nurse practitioner to ensure the formulation is right for you. We also provide counselling on storage, administration and monitoring of compounded medications, in addition to FREE prescription and compounded medication delivery citywide!
Integrating Compounding with Holistic Care
Compounding is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive care plan. Evergreen offers medication reviews, immunizations and chronic disease coaching so you can manage all aspects of your health in one place. We also coordinate with your family physician, specialist or home‑care nurse to ensure your compounded medications are part of a coherent therapy plan.
Final Thoughts
Personalized medicine isn’t a futuristic concept; it’s happening every day at Evergreen Compounding Pharmacy. Whether you need a medication in a different form, have allergies to certain ingredients or require a customized dose to manage a chronic condition, compounding can make a meaningful difference. Contact us or ask your healthcare provider for a referral to see if a compounded solution could improve your therapy.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.
