What is compounding in the context of pharmacy?

Compounding in the context of pharmacy refers to the preparation of customized medications to meet individual patient needs. This practice involves pharmacists creating formulations that are tailored specifically for a patient, taking into account their unique requirements, such as allergies, specific dosages, or preferred routes of administration.

Compounding can include altering the form of a medication, such as converting a solid tablet into a liquid for easier consumption, or creating a medication that combines ingredients in a way that is not commercially available. This customization is crucial for patients who may not respond to mass-produced medications due to sensitivities or specific health conditions.

In contrast, the other options provided do not accurately capture the essence of compounding. Mixing multiple medications into one capsule may be part of compounding, but it does not encompass the full scope of what compounding entails, as it might not always consider individual patient needs. Automatic refilling of prescriptions is related to dispensing but not compounding, and the distribution of over-the-counter medications pertains to retail pharmacy practices rather than the preparation of individualized prescriptions.