Standardization proposal to pharmaceutical compounded forms elaboration - information system

Quality is fundamental during compounded preparations. In spite of this, there is not standardization for compounding formulations preparation. Nowadays, there are some information systems to compounding pharmacy area, however they don´t offer functions related to the compounding elaboration. Standardization is essential to systems success. The goal of this paper was to propose a standard to pharmaceutical semisolid and liquid external use forms preparation. First was performed a study to check the characteristics on drug preparation at different establishments. Then, a standardization proposal was specified represented by flowcharts, including sequence, features and drug elaboration restrictions. Relevant variables were also identified and defined. Active´s name, pH and compatibilities are some examples. Flowcharts cover prescription analysis, actives compatibility verification, solubility, pharmaceutical incipient addition and other aspects that are important considering drug preparation. These flowcharts were validated by compounding pharmacy specialists applying Delphi Method. An Information System to support compounding pharmacist´s decision and help actives selection was developed, using the standard proposed, and the defined variables as knowledge base. Six common medical prescriptions, generally elaborated with wrong characteristics were used to evaluate the system. To all of them, the system offered a correct action plan to drug elaboration.