Compounding Pharmacy

Island Drug is the only Compounding Pharmacy on Whidbey Island!

Compounding is a term referring to the process of creating customized medications for patients who cannot take commercially available forms of medications for a variety of reasons. We have the ability to customize the flavor, form, and strength of your medication, if you and your doctor feel that it would be your best treatment option. In addition, we can compound natural hormone and thyroid replacement products, which are not commercially available. We have an entire room dedicated to compounding with all of the latest equipment, to ensure that the products made for you are of the best quality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Custom Prescription Compounding

How does compounding benefit me?
Many patients are allergic to preservatives or dyes, or sensitive to standard drug strengths. With a physician's consent, a compounding pharmacist can change the strength of a medication, alter its form to make it easier for the patient to ingest or use, or add flavor to make it more palatable. Anyone can use and benefit from compounded prescriptions should the need arise. Almost any prescription can be compounded. Low overall costs of onsite compound preparation make compounded prescriptions very competitive with commercially manufactured products.

Will my insurance cover compounded medications?
Because compounded medications are exempt by law from having the National Drug Code ID numbers that commercial products have, some insurance companies will not directly reimburse the compounding pharmacy. However, almost every insurance plan allows for the patient to be reimbursed by sending in claim forms. While you may be paying the pharmacy initially for a compounded prescription, most insurance plans should cover the final cost.

Is compounding legal?
The Food and Drug Administration has stated that compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal, as long as they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner, for a specific patient, and compounded by a licensed pharmacy. Compounding is regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy.

Does my doctor know about compounding?
Prescription compounding is a rapidly growing part of many physicians’ practices. In today's world of aggressive marketing by drug manufacturers, some may not realize the important alternative of compounded prescriptions. Ask your physician about compounding. Then call Island Drug, a pharmacy committed to providing high quality compounded medications.

Island Drug is a Proud PCCA member. Please watch the video below to see how that benefits our level of patient care:

PCCA Membership FAQ's