In years gone by it was always the doctor's need for convenience that dictated how a patient should be treated.
These days there is a more patient centered approach and all treatment is tailored specifically to the patients' unique needs.
As such the practice of compounding pharmacy is growing and there is a greater demand for custom made medication.
If you want to get involved you can become a compound pharmacist.
What do compound pharmacists do? Compound pharmacists are the ones responsible for the practice of compounding pharmacy.
This means that they create medication using a number of raw ingredients.
This is done to specification, to ensure that the right dosages and substances are present to meet each patient's need.
This may involve making an ordinary dry tablet, a capsule or even turning powder into a liquid.
So, if you always liked chemistry this will be perfect for you.
How do you train? Compound pharmacists have the qualification of traditional pharmacists but undergo further training.
In most countries, however, what you would consider "ordinary" pharmacists also have the ability to do a limited amount of compounding.
After normal pharmaceutical training you will go on to gain some experience in the field and then do a course in compounding pharmacy.
Like any other course you will have exams at the end, and at the end of it all you will have the knowledge and skills to be a competent compounding pharmacist.
Where can you train? Compound pharmacy isn't the most popular of education paths so you would find it a little more difficult to find than most courses.
The easiest way to find an institution to train at would be online.
Simply search for schools in your area and have a look at their course structure.
You'll be mixing it up before you know it.