What is a compounding pharmacy?
If you have been referred to us, or your prescriber has written something a regular pharmacy cannot fill, this explains what happens and why.
How is a compounding pharmacy different?
A regular pharmacy dispenses what a manufacturer makes. A compounding pharmacy prepares medication itself, for one patient, from a prescription that specifies a strength, a dosage form or a base that no manufactured product offers.
Everything is made to order and checked before it leaves. How ordering works.
When is a medication compounded?
Usually because something about the manufactured version does not suit the patient. The common reasons:
- The strength prescribed is not made commercially
- A different form is needed — a cream, a liquid, a transdermal
- An ingredient has to be left out, such as a dye or a preservative
- The patient is an animal, and needs dosing by species and weight
What we do differently
Every prescription is read by a pharmacist before anything is prepared or charged.
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We read it properly
A pharmacist checks the strength, the form and the base before anything is made.
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We prepare it here
Compounded to your prescriber’s specification, and checked before it leaves.
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We show the price
Our price sits beside the average US retail price on every line.
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We answer the phone
One number, answered by a pharmacist during opening hours.
Zarina Pharmacy
- Prepares medication to your prescription
- Strengths and forms that are not made commercially
- Our price shown beside average US retail
- A pharmacist reviews before anything is charged
- Dispenses what the manufacturer makes
- Price known at the counter
A regular pharmacy
- Prepares medication to your prescription
- Strengths and forms that are not made commercially
- Our price shown beside average US retail
- A pharmacist reviews before anything is charged
- Dispenses what the manufacturer makes
- Price known at the counter
What happens next.
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We receive your prescription.
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A pharmacist reads it and checks we can prepare it as written.
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If anything is unclear, we contact you or your prescriber.
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You are told the price before you commit.
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Your card is authorised — a hold, not a charge.
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On approval it is prepared, checked, and charged.
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It ships to you within the United States.
Ready to get started?
Frequently asked questions
Who uses a compounding pharmacy?
Anyone whose prescriber has written something a manufactured product does not cover — a different strength, a different form, or a preparation without a particular ingredient. Animal patients too.
Can I not just use my regular pharmacy?
For a manufactured medication, yes. A compounded preparation has to be made, and not every pharmacy compounds.
How long does it take?
A pharmacist reviews every prescription first. [TO CONFIRM: your typical turnaround for a compounded preparation and for stock medication.]
Do you ship to my home?
Yes, within the United States. See shipping for how temperature-sensitive preparations are packed.
How do refills work?
Reorder what we have dispensed before without starting again — see refills. We come back to your prescriber for a renewal rather than letting a course lapse.
What does it cost?
Stock medication is our cost plus a flat fee, with the average US retail price beside it. Compounded preparations are quoted individually — ask for a quote.
Who do I call if I have a question?
832-886-4296, and ask for a pharmacist.