What Are Compounded Supplements?
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When you purchase any of our supplements at The Menopause Co., you may wonder why there is a short medical questionnaire before you checkout. That's because our supplements are different from those you typically find on retail shelves, in that our pharmacist compounds each supplement using therapeutic doses specifically for you
Why do we compound our supplements?
The process of compounding ensures that we can blend premium-grade ingredients with precision, guaranteeing that each capsule contains the correct strength and dose to produce the best results for you.
Unlike many mass-manufactured supplements, our compounded supplements are created with the purest and most potent ingredients available and without unnecessary bulking agents or fillers. This means you can trust that you're getting the most out of your supplements.
In Australia, a compounding pharmacist, like ours, is licenced and qualified to produce medicines and other healthcare products on-site in a compounding pharmacy using raw pharmaceutical grade ingredients. This practice is often referred to as 'personalised medicine' because it allows medications to be custom-made to address the specific health needs of each individual patient.
It's important to note that compounding pharmacies in Australia are subject to strict regulations and must adhere to comprehensive guidelines to ensure that all medicines produced are safe and effective.
The Menopause Co. Supplements | Mass Manufactured Supplements | |
Method of manufacture | Compounded supplements made from scratch by a specially-qualified pharmacist guided by your medical questionanire. |
Supplements are mass-produced in a factory to a set formula approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). |
Ingredients used | Raw ingredients are sourced from suppliers approved (in Australia) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Each ingredient comes with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Our pharmacist also samples and tests raw materials to ensure the CoA's are accurate. A compounding chemist does not use any preservatives in their products. | Raw ingredients are sourced from suppliers approved by the FDA or TGA (in Australia). Ingredients are tested for accuracy of CoA. Preservatives are often used in mass-produced medications as they are shipped around the world and may remain in storage for long periods of time. |
Manufacturing facilities | Our pharmasicts compounding facility was built in line with the PSA (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia) and USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) guidelines. To avoid cross-contamination, their laboratory has three separate rooms, each with a designated function: hormones, vitamins/nutritional, dermatological, and other preparations. | Medications and supplements are manufactured in factories that conform to the government guidelines of the country in which the factory operates. |
Location of manufacture | All of our products are made on site, in Australia, at our compounding chemist’s premises. | Approximately 65% of the world’s commercial drugs and supplements are manufactured in China and India; the United States and Japan are also major players in pharmaceutical manufacturing. |
Registration | All compounding chemists in Australia must be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and meet these agencies’ very strict guidelines. Our compounder is also a certified QCPP (Quality Care Pharmacy Practice) under the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. | Medicine/vitamin/supplement manufacturers must be registered with the relevant public health and drug administration agencies in the countries where their products are sold. |
Safety Assurance Guaranteed:
1. Checks and independent testing
Every product we make undergoes three layers of quality control, is checked by two pharmacists, and is tracked through their advanced software system.
All formulations are checked from prescription (your medical questionnaire) to dispensing, and a final check ensures:
- Correct formulation
- Correct weight of ingredients
- Integrity of the product
We conduct independent laboratory testing of our compounds so we can be sure we’re producing supplements of the highest quality and purity. We also run stability tests which enable us to supply accurate expiry dates and storage information.
2. Specialised facility
Our pharmacist's purpose-built laboratory is equipped with powder containment hoods with HEPA filters, and each room has its own air supply through individual air-conditioning units. This ensures your supplements are not contaminated with other medicines being prepared in the area or with things like dust and pollen from outside. All equipment is maintained and calibrated according to (very high) USP standards.
3. Cleaning
All technical equipment is cleaned and disinfected prior to and after use, or according to a pre-determined schedule recommended by the manufacturer. The filters are replaced every six months (or sooner if necessary), and the system is serviced and maintained every three months.
4. High-grade premium ingredients
The ingredients we use in our products are of the highest standard available in Australia. We only use ingredients that are rigorously tested and traceable, sourced from trustworthy and reputable suppliers who have a long and respected track record.
5. Regulations
Our pharmacist operates in line with QCPP (Quality Care Pharmacy Practice), which is an ISO AS 85000:2011 (internationally recognised standard). The program is administered by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and audited bi-annually. They are accredited with the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and also comply with the standards set by USP 795, 797 and 800 (United States Pharmacopeia), the Pharmacy Board of Australia, PSA (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia) Compounding Guidelines, QCPP, complex compounding standards, and QCPP operational guidelines.
We have designed all of our products to be suitable for almost everyone, If you have any concerns about any medications you are already taking, we always recommend consulting with your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Discover our range of evidence-based supplements, developed with mind and body nutrients to address the most common symptoms and support your body and your needs before, during, and after this transitionary life stage.
This article has been reviewed by our expert advisory team.