Doctors' point of view on Pharmacy Compounding - Advantages and disadvantages

Background: Despite the wide variety and the increasing number of industrially manufactured pharmaceuticals in recent years, extemporaneous medications are still often prescribed and prepared. Materials and methods: The purpose of this study was to analyze doctors` points of view on pharmacy compounding and to characterize advantages and disadvantages, associated with extemporaneous prescribing and dispensing. We performed a direct anonymous survey among general practitioners and medical specialists in the Northeastern Bulgaria. Results: Our study findings showed that extemporaneous medications are still preferred by physicians to meet the need of a tailored approach to specific patient and to provide individualized drug dosing. The role of extemporaneous compounded medicines is significant in the field of dermatology, due to the possibility of combining different ingredients in order to achieve better therapeutic action and also to serve as an alternative when there are no available market preparations. Conclusion: The prescribing and compounding drugs is a possibility for ensuring optimal therapeutical success in a certain patient. The advantages of extemporaneous medicines define their important role in the personalized therapeutic approach. The question about the perspectives and the future of compounded drugs is complex and depends not only on the number of prescribed prescriptions, but also on the pharmacists’ willingness to dispense them, becoming equivalent partners of doctors in general treatment process.