How do I find a compounding pharmacy near me?

Use the search above to find compounding pharmacies by suburb or postcode. Not every compounding pharmacy offers every type of preparation, so call ahead to confirm they can prepare your specific prescription before you go.

Do I need a prescription for a compounding pharmacy?

Yes, for preparations containing a Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 active ingredient. The prescription must name you and come from a registered Australian practitioner. A digital prescription is accepted by most pharmacies. For veterinary preparations, a registered vet must write the script naming the animal.

Can a compounding pharmacy post my medicine to me?

Many compounding pharmacies in Australia operate online and post preparations nationally. Upload a valid prescription, they prepare the medicine, and it is dispatched to your address. Useful if you are in a regional or rural area with limited local options. Confirm the pharmacy holds current registration in its home state or territory before ordering.

How long does a compounded medicine take to prepare?

Turnaround depends on the preparation type and the pharmacy's workload. Simple non-sterile preparations such as capsules or creams can be ready within one to two business days. More complex or sterile preparations may take longer. Ask the pharmacy for a realistic timeframe when you submit your prescription.

Is a compounding pharmacy safe?

Compounding pharmacies in Australia operate under the Pharmacy Board of Australia's Guidelines on Compounding of Medicines and must source ingredients from TGA-licensed or TGA GMP-certified suppliers. State and territory pharmacy councils add a further registration layer. You can verify a pharmacist's registration at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register. Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you have specific questions about how your preparation will be made.

Find a compounding pharmacy near you

A compounding pharmacy prepares medicines from raw pharmaceutical ingredients, made to order for a named patient on a valid prescription. Compounding exists because commercial medicines come in fixed doses, fixed forms, and fixed excipients, and that does not suit every patient. Find a compounding pharmacy near you using the search below.

81 pharmacies offer compounding nationwide

Compounding lab

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When would you need a compounding pharmacy?

Your GP or specialist might refer you to a compounding pharmacy when the commercial version of a medicine does not work for your situation. Common reasons include an allergy to an inactive ingredient in the standard product, a dose that falls outside what manufacturers produce, a child who cannot swallow a tablet and needs a flavoured liquid, a medicine on extended backorder through the TGA shortage register, or a preparation combining two active ingredients that are not commercially available together.

Vets also prescribe compounded medicines regularly, particularly for animals that will not accept standard tablet forms. A compounding pharmacist can prepare the active ingredient in a form the animal will take at a dose appropriate for its weight.

What types of compounding are available?

Most compounding pharmacies in Australia offer non-sterile preparations: capsules, creams, gels, ointments, oral liquids, lozenges, and troches. Sterile compounding, which covers injectables and eye drops, needs a dedicated cleanroom and is available at fewer pharmacies. Paediatric and dermatology compounding are common, and veterinary compounding is widely available. If your prescription needs a sterile preparation, confirm the pharmacy has the right facilities before you go.

For a detailed explanation of how compounding works, what it costs, how it is regulated in Australia, and questions to ask before choosing a pharmacy, read the full compounding pharmacy guide.

Do you need a prescription?

For any preparation containing a Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 active ingredient, yes. The prescription must come from a registered Australian practitioner and must name you specifically. Digital prescriptions are accepted by most compounding pharmacies. For veterinary preparations, a current prescription from a registered vet naming the animal is required.

Since 1 October 2024, pharmacists in Australia cannot compound GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. This applies nationally, regardless of whether a prescription is presented.

Is compounding covered by the PBS?

Almost never. Compounded preparations are private prescriptions in most cases, so you pay the full cost. There is one specific exception: the Chemotherapy Compounding Payment Scheme (CCPS) provides payment for eligible PBS-linked chemotherapy compounding in defined circumstances.

For a standard non-sterile preparation such as a flavoured liquid or custom-strength cream, $50 to $120 or more per preparation is a general starting point. Costs vary by pharmacy, ingredients, and complexity. Most compounding pharmacies will give you a written quote before you commit.

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Finding compounding pharmacies

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This page is general health information for educational purposes only. It is not personal medical or pharmaceutical advice, does not constitute a recommendation of any medicine or preparation, and does not establish a practitioner-patient relationship. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about whether a compounded medicine is appropriate for your situation.