Compounding Pharmacy FAQs | Personalised Treatments UK

A compounding pharmacy is a specialist facility that prepares personalised medications based on a prescription. Rather than dispensing pre-manufactured drugs, compounding pharmacists create custom formulations tailored to a patient’s exact needs—such as adjusting dosage, changing the delivery method, or removing allergens like dyes or preservatives.

At Compounding Chemist, we focus on hair loss, skin care, and hormone-related treatments to provide bespoke care that standard options can’t offer.

Yes, the UK does have compounding pharmacies, although they are less common than in the US or Australia. These pharmacies operate under strict regulations by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and MHRA standards.

Compounding Chemist is one of the few GPhC-registered UK providers specialising in non-sterile, custom-made medications for dermatology, trichology, and hormone therapy.

Big pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicines in bulk for mass distribution, usually in standardised dosages and formats. In contrast, a compounding pharmacy produces individualised medications, made to order for each patient.

This allows for tailored dosages, alternative delivery forms (e.g., topical gels vs. tablets), and combination therapies that aren’t commercially available. We serve patients who don’t fit the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of big pharma.

A regular pharmacy dispenses pre-made, licensed medicines directly from manufacturers. A compounding pharmacy, however, formulates medications from raw pharmaceutical ingredients based on a prescriber’s specifications.

This is especially useful for patients who need specific strengths, combinations, or delivery methods—such as custom finasteride/minoxidil blends or bioidentical hormone creams.

The main disadvantages are availability and regulatory complexity. Compounded medications are unlicensed, meaning they must be prescribed on a named-patient basis and are not mass-produced or listed in the Drug Tariff. This can result in higher costs or limited access.

However, for many patients—particularly those with sensitivities or unique health needs—compounding remains the best or only option for personalised treatment.

You can absolutely trust a compounding pharmacy—as long as it’s properly regulated. Always look for GPhC registration, clinical oversight by qualified pharmacists, and sourcing of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

At Compounding Chemist, we ensure quality through meticulous formulation processes, prescription verification, and UK-based manufacturing standards.

The risks primarily involve improper formulation, contamination, or dosing errors—particularly in unregulated settings. However, these risks are mitigated in the UK by strict GPhC standards.

At Compounding Chemist, all medications are prepared in controlled environments using validated protocols, with double-checks by pharmacists to ensure patient safety.

Wearing gloves is essential for both safety and sterility. It protects the medication from contamination and protects the pharmacist from exposure to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), especially hormones and irritants.

At Compounding Chemist, we follow full PPE protocols, including gloves, masks, and sanitised workspaces, to ensure every batch meets high-quality standards.

At Compounding Chemist, the most commonly compounded medications include:

• Hair loss treatments (e.g., minoxidil + finasteride topical blends)
• Hormone therapy (BHRT) such as progesterone and estradiol creams
• Dermatological agents (e.g., tretinoin, hydroquinone, azelaic acid)

These are often tailored in strength, form, or ingredient combinations to suit individual patient needs.

A high-quality compounding pharmacy will:

• Be GPhC-registered
• Source pharmaceutical-grade ingredients
• Have clear clinical governance
• Offer transparent communication and post-dispensing support

You can contact our pharmacy for more information or speak to one of our prescribing partners.

In general UK prescribing (not limited to compounding), the most prescribed drugs are:

1. Atorvastatin – for cholesterol
2. Levothyroxine – for thyroid regulation
3. Omeprazole – for acid reflux

However, in compounding pharmacy practice, the most commonly compounded agents include:

1. Minoxidil and finasteride blends
2. Bioidentical hormones (progesterone, estradiol)
3. Tretinoin and dermatological actives

Yes. In the UK, all compounded medications require a prescription from a registered prescriber. These prescriptions are made on a “named patient” basis.

You can access treatments through our online prescription service or by asking your clinician to send a prescription directly to our pharmacy.