Sending Your First Prescription to a Compounding Pharmacy: A Guide for Prescribers

Who this guide is for

Many prescribers in solo and small practices write compounded prescriptions only now and then, or have never sent one at all. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists and podiatrists all reach a point where a patient needs something a commercially manufactured product does not offer. This guide walks through what sending that first prescription to ProCompounding looks like, from setup to the moment the preparation ships.

When a compounded preparation makes sense

The decision is always yours as the prescriber. The situations we see most often fall into three groups:

• A strength that is not commercially made. Low dose naltrexone is the clearest example: no commercially manufactured naltrexone is made at the low strengths prescribers write for it, so it is prepared to order. Our low dose naltrexone page explains how we prepare it.
• A different form. We prepare hypoallergenic creams, an olive oil base topical, oral capsules, tablets, nasal sprays and vaginal preparations, depending on the molecule.
• Leaving out an ingredient the patient reacts to. Dyes, lactose and fillers are common requests. The commercially manufactured micronized progesterone capsule is made with peanut oil, while our compounded capsules contain none, which is why progesterone for a patient with a peanut allergy is one of the questions we hear most. Our page on dye-free compounded medications lists the options.

When a commercially available product with the same active ingredient already exists, note on the prescription what you changed and why it matters for this patient. Our post on documenting a significant difference explains what a 503A prescription needs.

Getting set up

Setup happens once. Reach out by phone, email or the signup form on our compounding pharmacy for providers page and tell us what you prescribe and where your patients live. We verify your state license, NPI and DEA where applicable, get you into your e-prescribing directory and set up the practitioner portal. If you write the same formulations often, we can build customized Rx pads for them.

Three ways to send a prescription

1. E-prescribe. Search for ProCompounding Pharmacy, Johnson City, TN in your EHR's pharmacy directory.
2. Practitioner portal. Log in to manage prescriptions and view order history.
3. Secure fax. Send to 423-975-6304.

Please do not send protected health information by ordinary email.

What to put on the prescription

A complete prescription is the quickest one to fill. Before you send it, check that it shows:

• The active ingredient or ingredients, written out in full.
• The strength and the dosage form, including the base if it matters to you, such as a hypoallergenic cream or an olive oil base topical.
• The quantity, directions and number of refills.
• Allergies and sensitivities, so the pharmacist can choose the base and excipients around them.
• The patient-specific reason, where a commercial product with the same active ingredient exists.

What happens after you send it

A pharmacist reviews the formulation and calls you with any clinical questions before it is compounded. A member of our team confirms the cost with your patient before anything is processed, made, or shipped, and there is always a cash option. We compound most preparations within 48 hours of receiving a complete, verified prescription; shipping time is additional, and if a complex formulation will take longer, we tell you up front.

Because we are licensed nationwide, your patients do not need to live near Johnson City. Prescribers who want to confirm a pharmacy's standing can use our guide to verifying a compounding pharmacy license.

Common questions

Do I need an account before I send my first prescription?

Setting one up first is the smoothest route. We verify your credentials, add you to your e-prescribing directory and give you portal access, so the first prescription arrives ready to review.

Can I talk to a pharmacist before I write it?

Yes. Prescribers can reach our provider support line at (423) 773-0873, Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm EST, or email providersupport@procompounding.com with formulation questions.

What if my patient already has the prescription at another pharmacy?

The patient can transfer it to us. Depending on the prescription, we reach out to the current pharmacy to move the remaining refills, or to you for a prescription written for the compounded preparation.

Which states can you ship to?

We are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and we publish our resident and non-resident licensure so you can verify coverage. Whether a specific prescription can ship depends on the patient's location, the preparation and that state's requirements.

About ProCompounding

ProCompounding is a PCAB-accredited 503A compounding pharmacy that has served patients from Johnson City, Tennessee since 1936. A pharmacist reviews every formulation before it is made, and periodic third-party potency testing is part of our quality program. When you are ready, visit our page for prescribers and clinics to set up your account.

Compounded preparations are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety or efficacy. This article is general information for prescribers and is not medical or legal advice.