ABSTRACT
AIM: To determine the extent and nature of extemporaneous compounding of liquid preparations in a sample of New Zealand hospitals. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from eight hospitals known to provide compounding services during the period 1 June 2004 to 31 December 2004; including dosage form, volume, and quantity prepared. Data were collected on site from compounding logbooks and batch sheets. Demographic patient data was limited to age and was only collected from pharmacy departments where this information was readily available. Off-label use was analysed where appropriate data were available. RESULTS: 2015 products were compounded over the 7-month period; an average of 251.9 per month. More oral dosage forms were compounded (n=152) compared to topical dosage forms (n=100); 74 drugs required extemporaneous preparation for oral use. There were 16 drugs used in an off-label manner on 144 occasions for paediatric patients. Most off-label drugs were reformulated as suspensions; omeprazole suspension was compounded at all of the hospitals. Off-label use of four drugs (sotalol, labetalol, diazoxide, and clonidine) was analysed for different paediatric age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Suspensions are the most frequently compounded dosage form and omeprazole is the drug that is most frequently reformulated. Off-label medicines form a small but integral role in the supply of medicinal products.
