Abstract

Medicine availability is an important aspect of providing good quality healthcare. Some medicines are available in doses that are not suitable for a specific population group such as children or geriatric patients. Manipulation of the existing medication is undertaken instead. Studies on the practices, frequency and extent of extemporaneous compounding have been undertaken in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, United States of America and Mexico. No data exists for South Africa. Therefore the aim of the study was to explore the level of extemporaneous compounding skills at public hospital level, and to assess whether compounding is occurring in their pharmacies. A quantitative research approach applying the cross-sectional research design was used to determine the extemporaneous compounding practices in a tertiary hospital pharmacy. Twenty five pharmacists responded to a questionnaire on their knowledge and practices. Data was collected from 691 batch records and prescriptions dating from the January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 to determine the frequency and extent of extemporaneous compounding. Nearly all (96%) of the responding pharmacy personnel indicated having received compounding training skills through supervision by experienced pharmacists. Seventy two percent explained that they compounded medication due to the unavailability of certain prescribed drugs. In addition, 60% of the respondents confirmed that the expiry date is personally developed. The most compounded medicines were dermatological preparations (46.60%). The findings suggest that there seem to be insufficient skills within the tertiary hospital pharmacy staff for small scale compounding and identified the need for more research into this practice.

Key words: Extemporaneous, compounding, quality, quality assurance.