Extemporaneous compounding practices at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Background: Extemporaneous compounded preparations are prepared in a Pharmacy in response to an immediate request by a prescriber, in limited quantities for an individual patient through a prescription.

Objective: To investigate and evaluate extemporaneous compounding practices in the Pharmacy units in Lagos University Teaching Hospital with a view to strengthening the professional roles and responsibilities of Pharmacists in optimizing patient care. 

Methods: Retrospective study involving collection of data from relevant pharmacy units undertaking extemporaneous compounding for the period of one year (1st January - 31st December, 2021). Information on all compounded products were collected on site and retrieved from compounding log books. The facilities used for compounding, documentation process and standard operating procedures were examined. Data were recorded and transferred to Microsoft excel 2003 for statistical analysis and calculation of descriptive statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from LUTH Health Research ethics committee. 

Results: The study revealed a prevalence of extemporaneous compounding of 4.38 % of the total number of prescriptions and an average number of products compounded per month of 244.41 (95 % CI = 222.56 - 266.66). 85 drugs were compounded out of which 34 accounted for 95% of compounding activities. Suspensions were the most frequently compounded. Prevalence of medication error was found to be 2.01 %.

Conclusion: Although licensed medicines represent the gold standard for quality, efficacy and safety, there is no licensed medicines which fully meet the clinical needs of a particular patient. Pharmacists would therefore continue to be required to prepare extemporaneous products.