Growth in popularity of compounding pharmacies

Cape Town - Before pharmaceutical manufacturers started producing drugs in mass quantities, compounding was the standard means of providing prescription medications.

Now the Compounding Pharmacy of SA (CPSA) is reintroducing this individually focused service, combining it with the latest medical knowledge and state-of-the-art technology. Their specially trained professionals prepare customised medications to meet each patient’s exclusive and specific needs.

“We intimately understand that when it comes to our patients, one size does not fit all, hence the strength, ingredients and dosage form are tailored to each individual,” says Dhivia Naidoo, MD of CPSA.

This follows a growing international trend – especially in the US, there are now more than 8 000 compounding pharmacies.

CPSA is the only pharmacy in SA to have board-certified pharmacists qualified in functional medicine. Their clinical pharmacist, David Arthur, consults daily with patients.

A significant development is the establishment of The Compounding Pharmacies Training Academy, educationally partnered with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) and the Metabolic Medical Institute (MMI) in the US. This partnership makes the field of functional medicine available to South African healthcare providers who can now qualify with a fellowship in functional medicine from the University of South Florida in the US.

CPSA also offers local training for healthcare practitioners at their world-class compounding laboratory.

“The Compounding Pharmacy of SA will continue to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in order to deliver the very best products and positive outcomes for our patients’ medical needs, while remaining at the forefront of cutting-edge formulations and latest medical innovations in the world of functional medicine,” says Naidoo.