Role of Extemporaneous Medications in Inpatient Care: A Comparative Analysis with Their Industrial Counterparts

BACKGROUND: Currently, regarding the continuously rising healthcare expenditures, the search for ways to optimize costs and improve budget spending efficiency is becoming increasingly relevant. Unlike pharmaceuticals mass-produced by chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, their pharmacy-compounded counterparts have significant competitive advantages.

AIM: The study aimed to assess the advantages of extemporaneous medications over their industrial counterparts using the example of a multidisciplinary medical institution — Pokrovskaya City Hospital (St. Petersburg).

METHODS: The study’s theoretical and methodological basis included legislative and regulatory acts governing the circulation of medicines and pharmaceutical activities. This includes compounding and quality control of extemporaneous medications; scientific works on organizing pharmaceutical supply, pharmaceutical technology, and quality control of medicinal products and other scientific, methodological, and reference data on the topic under study; and reporting documentation from Pokrovskaya City Hospital.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study substantiates the significance of certain extemporaneous medications over their industrial equivalents based on the needs of medical institutions. It demonstrates how pharmacy-based compounding contributes to more rational use of financial resources and improved quality of medical care. The study emphasizes that pharmacy compounding should comply with current legislation and regulatory acts governing pharmaceutical activities and be based on clearly defined instructions, protocols, and quality standards. Furthermore, collaboration with regulatory authorities and participation in the pharmacovigilance system ensure that extemporaneous medications meet safety and efficacy requirements. A comprehensive analysis is required to assess the advantages of extemporaneous medications over their industrial counterparts — one that considers the cost of raw materials, pharmaceutical personnel labor, equipment depreciation, and quality control expenses. A crucial factor is comparing the production cost of extemporaneous medications with the prices of industrial equivalents, including logistics, storage, and related expenses.

CONCLUSION: Pharmacy compounding is a promising and potentially cost-effective direction, provided that it is implemented with due consideration of all critical factors. Proper planning, quality control, and compliance with legal regulations will enable pharmacies to optimize the healthcare system, reduce medication procurement cost, enhance the flexibility and responsiveness of drug supply, and provide opportunities for individualized dosing and composition adjustments to meet specific patient needs.