By Michael Pruett, Managing Partner, DynaLabs, LLC

When the issue of pharmacist collaboration is on the table, I think of a story a colleague once told me that illustrates the basic reasons why collaboration between general, hospital and compounding pharmacists is necessary and should be encouraged.

Not all compounding pharmacists are willing to give up their knowledge for fear of losing customers.  Most general pharmacists feel like they do not have extra time to learn compounding techniques or are discouraged about asking for advice on compounding. Without collaboration, the patient suffers and ultimately the pharmacy loses customers.  Here’s a prime example:

A patient was given a prescription by her doctor for a medication that was only available in tablet form.  The woman, who had difficulty swallowing pills, visited several neighborhood pharmacies only to be told that the pharmacist on duty had no knowledge of how to alter the medication’s form so that she could take it comfortably.  Hours later, the frustrated woman found a pharmacist who would try to help. Nearly an hour later, the pharmacist, who had little knowledge of compounding techniques, gave the woman a bottle of semi-liquid medication riddled with tablet chunks.  The patient was told to do the best she could to swallow it, and that there was no other option available.

Needless to say, the woman did what she had to, although she was not pleased with the results.  Had a compounding pharmacist been willing and available to share his/her knowledge with the general pharmacist, or had the general pharmacist even had a resource available to contact a compounding pharmacist directly for assistance, the outcome would have been much different and the patient would have been satisfied.

Everyday, patients with unique prescription requirements visit pharmacies around the world.  To the patient, having the appropriate medication, in the proper dosage form for their particular situation is a serious matter. It is estimated that nearly three billion prescriptions per year are filled in the United States.  Nearly 36.5 million compounded medications are dispensed each year, or 1 in 1,000 prescriptions – not a huge percentage, but certainly a significant one.

More and more brand-name medications are being taken off the market every year, leaving doctors and patients seeking an effective alternative and the expertise of compounding pharmacists.

It is understandable why compounding pharmacists would be hesitant to share their trade secrets.  However, there is more benefit to helping another pharmacist than there is risk.  A chain store general pharmacist who receives advice from an out-of-state compounding pharmacist is unlikely steal his/her customers.

Just as important, a general pharmacist needs to be willing to learn compounding techniques, refer the customer to a compounding pharmacist and know where he/she can seek advice from a compounding expert.  A compounding networking website exists, but can only be accessed by a compounding pharmacist, so it is of little use to the general pharmacist.  At RxSpace.com, various types of pharmacists from all over the world can freely share information with each other and discuss a variety of industry topics, including compounding.

I believe it is invaluable for a general pharmacist to know compounding basics for the sake of the customer and to honor traditional methods and techniques of pharmacy.  Today, pharmacy students are given limited exposure to compounding in college.  However, more and more colleges across the country have begun adding compounding classes to their curriculum.
Much like the med student who learns triage in medical school and may not have use for it in their daily practice, but if a situation arises where triage is necessary, that knowledge could mean life or death for the patient.  My suggestion to pharmacy students is to learn as much about compounding as you can.  My advice to the compounding pharmacist is to share your knowledge when it is needed.  After all, a pharmacist’s first priority is the needs of their patients.  So, let’s not think about us; let’s think about the patients instead.  I truly believe the pharmacy industry will be a better place for having collaborated.

What do you think?  Should there be more collaboration among different types of pharmacists?  Let’s talk about it!