Botanical Compounding Pharmacy formulates custom compounded dermatology and aesthetics medicines at our West Melbourne pharmacy, as prescribed by doctors, dermatologists, nurse practitioners and other authorised prescribers. The job of the pharmacy is to compound the medicine as prescribed — assessment, diagnosis and treatment are up to the prescribing healthcare practitioner. 

This page discusses what is involved in dermatology compounding, what circumstances may warrant consideration of a compounded formula, and how we can help practitioners and their patients across Melbourne in this area of compounding.

Dermatology and Aesthetics Compounding in Melbourne

As a skin compounding pharmacy based in West Melbourne, Botanical Compounding Pharmacy prepares compounded dermatology and aesthetics medicines for practitioners and patients across Melbourne. Being based in West Melbourne allows us to offer a compounding pharmacy service throughout Melbourne, while still giving individual attention to every formulation. Whether a prescription comes from a clinic in the CBD, the inner suburbs or elsewhere, our compounding pharmacists will formulate the medicine according to the prescription provided.

What Is Dermatology Compounding?

Dermatology compounding is the creation of custom-made skin medicines by a compounding pharmacist, according to the terms of a specific prescription, rather than dispensing a pre-packaged commercially produced medicine. Compounding uses a combination of ingredients in specific strengths, combinations or dosage forms as called for in the prescription.

The compounding pharmacist is the preparer of the medicine, unlike standard dispensing, where a commercially manufactured medicine is provided in its current form without changes. Compounding exists because there are instances where a patient needs something that a commercially available medicine doesn't provide — such as a required strength not available, the addition or removal of an ingredient, or another dosage form. This is not a statement that a compounded medicine is more effective or safer than a commercially available medicine; it's simply a different means of providing a medicine according to an individual prescription.

When Would a Practitioner Prescribe a Compounded Dermatology Formula?

A healthcare practitioner may prefer to prescribe a compounded formulation when:

• the required strength is not commercially manufactured;

• the patient requires a different dosage form from what's commercially available, such as a cream rather than a tablet, or a lotion rather than an ointment;

• the practitioner prefers to combine multiple ingredients into a single preparation, rather than prescribing multiple products;

• the prescriber needs to exclude an excipient, preservative or dye contained in a commercially available product that's not suitable for the patient — for example, where a patient has a known sensitivity to a specific preservative used in a standard cream base; or

• the ingredient or combination of ingredients the practitioner wishes to prescribe is not available in any commercially manufactured product.

This is a clinical decision for the prescribing practitioner to make. We don't dictate what active ingredients, strengths or combination of ingredients are necessary for a patient — our compounding pharmacists only prepare the medicine according to the prescription terms.

Compounded Medicines for Individual Skin Conditions

Dermatology can involve a wide variety of skin, hair and scalp issues, and a healthcare practitioner may consider a compounded formulation for a patient with any of the following, when a commercially available product does not satisfy their specific requirements: acne, rosacea, eczema and dermatitis, psoriasis, pigmentation, scarring, sunburn-affected skin, dry or sensitive skin conditions, and scalp conditions. The reasons could be excipient sensitivity, a preferred dosage form, or a particular ingredient combination the prescriber intends to use.

The above list is not meant to be exhaustive, and it is not our intention to make claims that compounding can treat, cure or resolve any of these conditions. Whether a compounded medicine is appropriate, and what it should contain, is a clinical decision for the prescribing practitioner to make after their assessment of the patient. Botanical Compounding Pharmacy does not offer medical advice, only compounded formulations prepared to a practitioner's prescription.

Personalised Strength, Ingredients and Dosage Forms

Personalisation of formulations is one of the defining features of compounding — a prescription can include detailed specifics of the formulation which is not available in any commercially manufactured product. The practitioner may choose an exact strength of an active ingredient, ask for the combination of two or more active ingredients into a single preparation, specify which excipients need to be excluded, or nominate a dosage form most suitable for the patient and the area of skin to be treated.

The personalised formulation is always dictated by the prescription itself. The practitioner decides what is best for the patient based on their professional assessment, and our compounding pharmacists prepare the formulation to those prescription details. We do not alter any prescription, substitute ingredients, or suggest any strength or active ingredient — these changes can only come from the prescribing practitioner.

Types of Compounded Dermatology Formulations

Topical dermatology medicines can be formulated into several different dosage forms, and this is usually determined at the discretion of the prescriber, depending on the specific requirements of the patient and the area being treated. The types of formulations commonly used in dermatology compounding include creams (emulsion-based, for general topical application), ointments (a more occlusive, oil-based preparation sometimes preferable for drier skin), gels (a lighter, often water-based formulation suitable for oilier skin or hair-bearing areas), lotions (a thinner formulation suited to larger areas of skin), and solutions (liquid formulations for non-greasy, fast-drying application).

Each of these formulations behaves differently in terms of spreadability, occlusion, absorption and patient comfort, which is why a prescriber may choose a particular dosage form rather than leave it to the pharmacy. The choice of formulation is part of the prescription itself, and none of the dosage forms discussed here is presented as superior to the others. We formulate the dosage form nominated on the prescription; if a prescriber is uncertain whether we can prepare a specific prescription in a particular formulation, our team is happy to discuss this with them.

Aesthetics Compounding

Aesthetics compounding refers to the preparation of individually compounded formulations, as prescribed by healthcare practitioners engaged in aesthetic medicine, such as cosmetic physicians, dermatologists and other prescribers working in this field. Just as with dermatology compounding generally, the practitioner is responsible for the assessment of the patient and the clinical prescription of the medicine, strength and combination of ingredients. Our compounding pharmacists are responsible for formulating the medicine according to that prescription.

Requests in this area may relate to formulations used before or after certain procedures, or to individually compounded topical preparations addressing pigmentation, skin tone or texture considerations that a practitioner has identified as part of a patient's broader treatment plan. We do not make any claims as to the results of using compounded aesthetics medicines in terms of cosmetic benefits, appearance, anti-ageing effects or rejuvenation — these are matters for discussion between a prescriber and their patient. Our job in aesthetics compounding, as in dermatology compounding, is to formulate the medicine according to the prescription.

Collaboration With Healthcare Practitioners

Compounding is a process of collaboration between the prescribing practitioner and the compounding pharmacy. The practitioner is responsible for the assessment of the patient, the clinical decision-making, and the prescription of the medicine, strength, dosage form and other specifics. Our compounding pharmacists are responsible for preparing the medicine in accordance with that prescription, using appropriate compounding techniques and ingredients.

We collaborate with general practitioners, dermatologists, nurse practitioners and other prescribers, and our team is available to discuss formulation options, ingredient availability and dosage form suitability in relation to preparing a prescription. This collaboration does not replace clinical decision-making — that responsibility rests with the prescribing practitioner at all times.

Patients interested in obtaining a compounded dermatology or aesthetics medicine will need a prescription from an authorised healthcare practitioner. If you have any questions regarding a prescription or compounding in general, please contact our team.

FAQs

Q1: What is dermatology compounding?
A1: Dermatology compounding is the preparation of compounded skin medicines, including formulations for hair and scalp conditions, according to a prescription — allowing a pharmacist to formulate the medicine with a specific strength, ingredient combination or dosage form not available as a commercial product.

Q2: Why would a healthcare practitioner choose to prescribe a compounded dermatology medicine rather than a commercial one?
A2: A practitioner may prescribe a compounded formula if a patient needs a strength that is not commercially available, a combination of multiple active ingredients in a single formulation, a different dosage form, or a formula that excludes a certain excipient — depending on the practitioner's clinical assessment of the patient.

Q3: Is it possible to adjust the strength of a compounded dermatology medicine?
A3: Yes, a prescriber can specify the particular strength of medicine required by the patient. Any change to strength must be directed by the practitioner and set out in the prescription; we compound the medicine according to those specifications.

Q4: What types of topical formulations can be compounded?
A4: Depending on the prescription, dermatology and aesthetics medicines can be formulated as creams, ointments, gels, lotions or solutions. The appropriate dosage form is generally chosen by the prescriber, based on the area being treated and the needs of the patient.

Q5: Do I need a prescription for a compounded dermatology or aesthetics medicine?
A5: Yes. Compounded medicines are prepared according to the prescription of an authorised healthcare practitioner, such as a general practitioner, dermatologist or nurse practitioner. We compound medicines based on the prescription and do not diagnose conditions or make treatment recommendations.

Q6: Can multiple prescribed ingredients be combined into a single formulation?
A6: In some cases, yes. If a prescriber specifies that multiple ingredients should be combined into one preparation, we can prepare the formulation accordingly, subject to compounding suitability and compatibility of the ingredients.

Q7: Where can I find dermatology and aesthetics compounding in Melbourne?
A7: Botanical Compounding Pharmacy is based in West Melbourne and provides compounded dermatology and aesthetics medicines for prescribers and patients across Melbourne. Prescriptions can be sent to our pharmacy by the prescriber, and our team is available to discuss formulation details with prescribers directly.

Disclaimer

The details provided here are for general knowledge and educational purposes only. They should not be taken as medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment for any skin-related condition. Botanical Compounding Pharmacy supplies customised dermatology and aesthetic preparations solely with a valid prescription from an authorised healthcare professional, based on their clinical judgement for each patient. Unlike medicines registered with the TGA, compounded products are not independently assessed by the TGA for safety, quality, or effectiveness. Nothing in this material suggests that compounded medicines enhance skin appearance, reverse ageing, or are safer or more effective than commercially available alternatives. Please consult your prescribing practitioner to determine suitability, or reach out to us directly regarding your prescription or our services.

470 Spencer Street West Melbourne VIC 3003