Frequently Asked Questions

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While most pharmacies offer some level of compounding, most compounding is done in pharmacies that have made the investment in equipment and training to do so safely and efficiently. The preparations offered by compounding pharmacies can be non-sterile (ointments, creams, liquids or capsules that are used in areas of the body where absolute sterility is not necessary) or sterile (intramuscular injection, intravenous and eye drops).

Of the approximate 56,000 community-based pharmacies in the U.S., about 7,500 pharmacies specialize in compounding services, and of those, less than 80 are FDA-approved. This means the pharmacists in those facilities spend most or all of their time compounding special preparations for patients. Preparations made in these pharmacies are more likely to include both sterile and non-sterile dosage forms. Compounding also takes place in hospital pharmacies and at other healthcare facilities.

At Olympia Pharmacy, we believe that every patient is not created equally. You have unique needs when it comes to your medications, and we have unique solutions. In a cookie-cutter world, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to medication. Our foundations are built on providing the right solutions for your unique body chemistry.

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A healthcare provider will prescribe a compounded drug only when commercially available drug products do not meet your needs. If you do not understand why you have been prescribed a special formulation, ask your prescriber. If you are concerned about taking a compounded drug and you and your prescriber agree that you can tolerate the commercially available drug, you may also ask if there is any evidence that your outcome will be better on the compounded formulation.

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Olympia can compound medications in many forms, including: injectables, capsules, sublingual, liquid, topical, cream, gel, tablets and suppositories.

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Many specialties utilize compounding for more individualized patient care. Some specialties include: HCG/medical weight loss, HRT for men and women, topical pain, erectile dysfunction, female sexual health, vein care and IV nutrition.

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Traditional compounding is the preparation of a medication to meet the prescriber’s exact specifications and to be dispensed directly to the patient, pursuant to a valid prescription for that patient. Pharmaceutical compounding is performed or supervised by a pharmacist licensed by a state board of pharmacy (see question below on legal oversight of compounding versus manufacturing). Manufacturing is the mass production of drug products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are sold to pharmacies, health care practitioners, or others who are authorized under state and federal law to resell them.

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Traditional compounding pharmacies are regulated by state boards of pharmacy. Community and hospital compounding pharmacists are allowed exemptions to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 if they comply with the regulations outlined in Section 503A. All pharmacists and pharmacies engaged in compounding are subject to oversight by both federal and state authorities.

Pharmacists engaged in compounding are expected to follow applicable standards and regulations for the types of preparations that are compounded. FDA has oversight for the integrity and safety of the drugs (called Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, or APIs, by FDA) used in compounded preparations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has oversight for any controlled substances used in the preparation of compounded medications. Controlled substances include narcotics such as hydrocodone, amphetamines, and similar drugs, and drugs such as those used for anxiety and sleep disorders.

In addition, the United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention issues standards that apply to compounding. This private, nonprofit organization defines the chemical purity of drugs and also issues practice standards. USP develops standards for the identity, quality, strength, and purity of medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients that may be used in compounding preparations. These standards, in particular, are relevant to compounding pharmacists.

USP General Chapter <797> is a national standard for 503A compounding pharmacies for the process, testing and verification of any compounded sterile preparations. It provides guidance on preventing microbial contamination and other variances in compounded sterile preparations, regardless of setting (e.g., hospitals, community pharmacies) or who is performing the compounding (pharmacists, nurses, pharmacy technicians or others).

The Compounding Quality Act, passed in 2013, defined a new designation of compounding pharmacy, called a 503B FDA Outsourcing Pharmacy. This type of pharmacy, is a compounding pharmacy that is directly regulated by the FDA using cGMP regulations. cGMP are the same regulations followed by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Therefore, a 503B pharmacy is a compounding pharmacy that operates under cGMP guidelines, which are much more stringent than USP 797 guidelines that traditional 503A compounders operate under. There are less than eighty 503B pharmacies in the United States. Olympia is a 503B compounding pharmacy.

USP General Chapter <795> provides similar guidance for non-sterile preparations that are compounded in healthcare settings. It describes categories of compounding (simple, moderate, complex), defines concepts such as beyond-use date and stability, and provides criteria for compounding pharmacists to follow in preparing various drug preparations.

USP General Chapter <800> is a new standard developed by USP that establishes practice and quality standards of hazardous drugs to minimize the exposure to hazardous drugs within healthcare settings. This standard aims to promote worker safety (pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and many others), patient safety, and environmental protection. This standard was published on February 1, 2016, but will not be officially implemented until July 1, 2018. The current list of hazardous drugs is available from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Compliance with these and other USP guidelines is considered the minimum standard of practice in pharmacy.

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Ask. A patient can receive compounded drugs from a typical community pharmacy or a specialty compounding pharmacy, or compounded drugs can be administered by doctors or other health professionals in clinics or medical offices. Patients should ask the person administering a medication or the pharmacist dispensing a prescription whether it was prepared in a compounding pharmacy or manufactured by a drug company. A widely accepted standard of practice is to label all compounded preparations with information stating the medication has been “compounded.”

If a prescription calls for a compounded drug, patients can ask for the accreditations of the pharmacy responsible for compounding the mediation.

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Andropause (also referred to as “male menopause”, “Low-T” or “low testosterone”) is a lack of testosterone in older men that can lead to a variety of different symptoms, including fatigue, inability to concentrate, loss of muscle strength, reduced sex drive, osteoporosis, heart disease, irritability, insomnia or erectile dysfunction. There is, however, a way for these men to possibly reduce or eliminate their symptoms through something called testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Olympia Pharmacy offers several different types of TRT solutions.

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TriMix injections are a type of intracavernous injections used to help treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). TriMix is a great alternative for anyone who cannot take or have not had good results with PDE5 inhibitor tablets, such as Viagra®, Levitra® and Cialis®.  Find out everything you need to know about in our comprehensive TriMix guide now.

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Yes. Intracavernous injections like TriMix have proven to be the most effective non-surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) since 1983, according to the American Urologic Association. Many men find great success with the results of TriMix injections.

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TriMix injections can be a great option for people who are experiencing symptoms of ED. Get started today by filling our our simple online form.

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Injecting TriMix medication can be very easy. Watch this helpful video for step-by-step instructions to properly administer this medication.

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Vein therapy (or “sclerotherapy”) is a minimally invasive type of treatment that can be very effective for treating various vein conditions, including varicose, spider and reticular veins. It is a very common procedure and can be performed in a physician’s office within minutes.

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Hormone replacement therapy is a type of therapy that can be used to help treat symptoms of hormone imbalance in aging women, which may include: hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, mood swings, urinary tract infections, weight gain, insomnia, decreased sex drive and more. Each customized treatment is designed to restore balance in a woman’s hormones through bioidentical hormones that contain the exact amount of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone each individual’s body would naturally produce. View Olympia Pharmacy’s available bioidentical hormone options today!

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Whether you’re an individual seeking medical supervision or a physician researching medical weight-loss program options, Olympia has a program that can help you reach your goals. Weight management can be possible with the help of medically supervised weight loss.

This type of treatment is designed for those who may be experiencing high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction, heart disease and other obesity-related symptoms. More than 30% of adults in the U.S. are clinically obese.

Treatments are very customized to the individual, but many include vitamin injectables, including our popular Lipo-Mino Mix blend, which may help suppress hunger, convert fat to energy and maintain a healthy immune system.

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Medically supervised weight loss is most effective for individuals who are considered to be clinically obese and require medical supervision in order to lose weight. This is not a diet solution for individuals wanting to lose a few pounds.

Olympia also offers injectable vitamin therapy which may help the body burn fat more efficiently. This is an option for those who only want to lose weight in the 10- to 20-lb. range.

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With age, comes a lot of changes in our bodies. At Olympia Pharmacy, there are many age-management treatment options that may help with some of the symptoms of getting older. These include fat-burning supplements, bioidentical hormone replacement and more.

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Intravenous (IV) therapy can be used for individuals seeking overall general wellness—whether it’s an infusion of energy, a healthier immune system, anti-aging, detoxification or other similar benefit. IV therapy is believed to be both effective and restorative.

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Yes. At Olympia, we offer a wide range of treatments to help combat a variety of health issues, ranging from erectile dysfunction and hormone imbalance to the appearance of varicose veins and more. No matter what you’re looking for, our experts are here to discuss which treatment plan will best suit you (or your patients’ needs). Contact Olympia Pharmacy for a free consultation today.

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All medications require a prescription from a U.S.-licensed physician. Consult with our team for details.

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We’re open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We’re closed on weekends and holidays. If you have any questions, call our toll-free number at 888-323-7788.

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We make it easy for you to request a prescription refill. Visit our Refill Request page today to get your refill started.

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We’re always here to help if you have any questions about a prescription. You can contact our team at 407-673-2222 to speak with one of our pharmacists if you any questions about your prescription or order status.

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Our billing and accounting department is available for your questions or concerns related to billing. You can contact them at 407-250-6677.

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Our sales and marketing teams are here to assist you. If you have any questions about sales, marketing or a professional account with Olympia, contact us at 407-250-4000.