History

The role of the independent community pharmacist is changing these days. With increasing competition from large pharmacies and a continually evolving health care environment, many pharmacists have returned to the early roots of pharmacy when they made medications tailored to the individual's need.

Also known as "problem solvers", these pharmacists are practicing the art of pharmaceutical compounding, which is the method of preparing medications to meet each physician's and patient's unique needs.

The practice of preparing medications dates back to the origins of pharmacy; yet, compounding's presence throughout the pharmacy profession has changed over the years. In the 1930s an 40s, approximately 60 percent of all medications were compounded. During the 1950s and 60s, with the advent of manufacturing, compounding declined. The pharmacist's role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms.

In the 1980s, and especially in the 1990s, physicians and patients are realizing the benefits of preparing customized medications to meet specific patient needs.