Magistral preparations

Compounding (Magistral prepartion)is a specificity of the pharmacy laboratory.
It comes in a variety of galenic forms: mainly external (ointments, salves, creams, lotions, emulsions), suppositories, or coated or uncoated capsules (when the latter, the aim is to protect the stomach).
Prescribed by doctors ("magister"), they are essential in many cases to:

modulate dosage according to the patient's age and weight (young children, senior citizens) or pathology (kidney problems that could affect drug elimination);
choose the right pharmaceutical form: children and the elderly are sometimes unable to swallow a capsule or tablet. In such cases, magistral preparations in liquid form enable the active ingredient to be conveyed without swallowing problems;
combine several active ingredients for synergistic action or to reduce the number of remedies to be taken;
provide a replacement solution when a pharmaceutical industry speciality is lacking;
to provide a preparation adapted to the patient and which will increase his or her compliance (regular taking of a treatment);
to be able to produce preparations for aromatherapists or phytotherapists.

The framework for magistral preparations (individual weighing sheets, registration number for all products recorded in the laboratory, high hygiene standards, traceability of all procedures, etc.) and Good Officinal Practices make magistral preparations a safe, up-to-date and modern choice.

Picture of laboratory 5 from Pharmacie Darwin in Ixelles.