Find a compounding pharmacy near you

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.

Common questions

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