Commonly Asked Questions About Compounding Pharmacy Prescription Medications
1Is a compounded medicine covered under the PBS?
Certain compounded prescriptions are partly reimbursed under the PBS on the Standard Formula List.
Most are not but you may be able to claim part of the cost back from your Private Health Fund.
2Can I get any reimbursement for the cost of a compounded medicine from my Health Fund?
If you have Extras cover with your Health Fund you may be eligible for reimbursement for part of the compounded prescription price. Different Health Funds and levels of cover provide different levels of reimbursement. Check with your Health Fund to see if they will cover your compounded prescription. They will need to know the active ingredients of your compounded prescription. We will provide you with a Tax Invoice describing the medicine (name of compound including active ingredients and strength(s) to take to your Health Fund.
3What is the expiry date of my compounded prescription?
There are two types of expiry dates that relate to your compounded prescription:
- The Prescription Expiry: the prescription is only valid for 12 months unless it is a prescription for an anabolic steroid (DHEA, testosterone are examples) or a drug of addiction (eg. Morphine, amphetamine, ketamine) which is only valid for SIX months.
- The Product Expiry: this is the expiry date of the actual compounded product. We use the APF or USP guidelines to determine the expiry date. The product expiry date depends on the expiry date of each of the ingredients, the stability of the formulation and whether or not a preservative is used. We apply a product expiry to each compound.
4Where do the active ingredients such as hormones come from?
We source our active ingredients from TGA licensed wholesaler Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia(PCCA). We are provided with a certificate of analysis for each ingredient so that we are assured of the purity of the ingredient.
5Are Bio-identical Hormones natural?
Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are identical in chemical structure to the hormones produced in your body. They are synthesized in a laboratory from diosgenin a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy.
6How long does it take to compound products?
The following is a guide to how long different dosage forms take to compound.
Dosage Form | Time |
Capsules | 1 hour (more if more than one active ingredient) |
Mixture | 1/4-1 hour |
Suspension | 1 hour |
Lollipop | 3 hours (base needs to be melted and then solidify) |
Pessaries | 3 hours (base needs to be melted and then solidify) |
Troche | 2 hours (base needs to be melted and then solidify) |
Sub-lingual drops | 1/4 hour |
Cream | 1/2 hour |
Melasma Cream | 1 hour |
Ointment | 1/4 hour |
Gelatin Troche | 3 hours |
Transdermal Cream | 1 hour |
Lotion | 1 hour (Minoxidil will take longer) |
Paint | 1/2 hour |
Ear drop | 1/2 hour |
Nasal drop or Spray | 1/2 hour |
Vaginal Cream | 1 hour |
Call, email or visit us for help.
- Our telephone line is available Monday to Friday
from 9am to 5pm (AEST) - 1800 200 736 - Our fax number is (03) 9331 6748
- Email should be addressed to [email protected]
- Our mailing address is:
eMedical PO Box 80
Keilor VIC 3036
Australia - eMedical / Keilor Village Pharmacy is situated at
686 Old Calder Hwy, Keilor 3036