The Role of Trusted Pharmacists in Patient Health

Pharmacies play an indispensable role in ensuring patients have access to the medications they need. Finding a reputable pharmacy with pharmacists who have the necessary education and training is therefore critical. However, the quality and expertise patients receive can vary significantly depending on the type of pharmacy they choose.

Legacy Community Health is committed to providing patients and their families with comprehensive pharmacy services that ensure patient safety, accurately dispense medications and offer patient-centric care.

Important Differences between Community Pharmacies and Compounding Pharmacies

When it comes to filling prescriptions, pharmacies can generally be divided into two types –community or retail pharmacies or compounding pharmacies. Compounding pharmacies are a very small but increasingly popular subset of these community or retail pharmacies. A compound pharmacy normally provides medications that are not widely commercially available. They prepare them onsite to meet the patient’s specific needs or requirements. According to the American Pharmacists Association, there are about 56,000 community-based or retail pharmacies in the United States. Of these, about 7,500 are compounding pharmacies. The reason for their growing popularity is that they can often provide medications at a much lower cost than commercial or retail pharmacies. 

A community pharmacy dispenses prescribed medications that are commercially manufactured and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and registered with the respective state board of Pharmacy to meet compliance. These mass-produced drugs undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety, efficacy, and consistency. Patients who get their medication from community pharmacies receive standard formulations that are designed to meet the needs of the majority of the patient population, with specific dosages prescribed by their medical providers. A community pharmacy can and may be able to compound medications that are not readily available on the market. They can do simple compounding, like adding a syrup to antibiotics for children.

In contrast, a compounding pharmacy specializes in creating customized medications tailored to the specific needs of a patient, based on a prescription from a healthcare provider. This might involve altering the formulation of a medication, eliminating certain ingredients that could trigger allergies, a formulation to accommodate patients’ needs, or changing the flavor to make it more palatable. Compounders are also allowed to prepare a version of a medication that are listed on the FDA’s Drug Shortage List in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  They must also be registered with the State Board of Pharmacy as well. While reputable compounding pharmacies adhere to state regulations and USP guidelines, compounded medications are not subjected to FDA oversight, meaning they are not independently verified for quality, safety, and efficacy.

Understanding these differences can help patients make informed decisions about where to fill their prescriptions to ensure their medication needs are adequately met.

Legacy Community Health’s Perspective on Compounding Pharmacies

Legacy Community Health generally advises against using compounded medications unless they are a legitimate pharmacy with licensure and registered with the Board. For patients, nevertheless, considering a compounding pharmacy, the following questions should be addressed:

• Whether the pharmacy is licensed in Texas
• Whether the pharmacy uses FDA-registered suppliers
• Whether the pharmacists have Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BCSC)
• Whether the compounding pharmacy is accredited through the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB)

Other warning signs are exceptionally low prices of medications, misspellings, missing expiration dates, storage requirements and other vital prescription details. These red flags may indicate that the pharmacy may be not operating legitimately or adhering to proper regulatory standards. If a patient does decide to source medication from a compounding pharmacy, they should have a general practitioner, and any other treating physician know so their medical team can monitor for any potential drug interactions and ensure comprehensive and holistic care.

Legacy Community Health Offers Comprehensive Pharmacy Services and More

At Legacy Community Health, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, including expert pharmacy services. We therefore recommend patients visit one of our three pharmacies, conveniently located in Fifth Ward, Montrose, and Sharpstown, for their medication needs.

Legacy Community Health has 6 Clinical Pharmacy Specialists who are embedded in our clinics and are integral members of the healthcare team and collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide patients with expert and high-quality support and care. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists complete 1-2 years of clinical training (residency) after receiving their doctorate in Pharmacy. Every Legacy pharmacist has a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and is registered and licensed by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, designated by the professional R.Ph. title.

Our pharmacies offer a full range of services:

• Immunizations
• Health coaching and education
• Medication syncing
• Medication therapy management
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Cholesterol
  • HIV
  • Asthma/COPD
• Fill, refill and transfer prescriptions
• Prescription delivery
• One-on-one medication counseling
  • Medication adherence
  • Smoking cessation
  • Health coaching
  • Medication reconciliation

Our pharmacies also offer discount prescription prices for nearly 14,000 medications if they enrolled in our My Legacy RX programs. To qualify for the reduced price, the prescription needs to be written by a Legacy provider and filled by one of our own or a participating pharmacy.

Contact our pharmacies to fill your prescription or speak with a pharmacist about any questions you may have about a medication:
(1) Legacy Pharmacy Lyons–text 346-251-8749 or call 713-366-7400
(2) Legacy Pharmacy Montrose–text 346-251-8996 or call 713-665 8800,
(3) Legacy Pharmacy Sharpstown–text 832-400-9305 or call 713-814-3499

Whether someone needs help managing their medications or exploring other healthcare options, Legacy Community Health is here to offer assistance and support. Visit us online or call us directly at (832) 548-5000.