5.13 Compounded Prescriptions

General Policy Description

Pharmacare recognizes compounded prescriptions as rational combinations of active ingredients requiring professional judgment and technical skill in their preparation. 

PharmaCare reimburses pharmacies for specific compounds and for compounding costs, up to certain limits.

On this page:

Policy Details

Compounds eligible for coverage

• No suitable alternative is available commercially (e.g., different brand, different drug, etc.), and
• The specific eligibility criteria for the ingredient (as noted below) are met, and
• The pharmacy has a current medical practitioner's prescription for the compound on file, and
• The compound is produced by trained staff with appropriate expertise using appropriate and cost-effective ingredients and procedures

PharmaCare covers other types of compounds (i.e., not on the list below) only if Special Authority approval is in place before the compound is dispensed.

Eligible compounds 

Eligible compounds list

Eligible compound	Criteria for coverage
Oral solutions	N/A
Oral suspensions	Oral suspensions are a benefit only: For a pediatric or adult client who cannot swallow tablets/capsules due to age or disability (includes J/G tube patients), or For pediatric clients only, when the prescribed dosage is not available commercially or cannot be achieved safely by modifying a commercial product AND  When a specific compound benefit PIN has been assigned by Pharma Care for the active ingredient or particular combination of active ingredients. Refer to Compounded Prescription PINs The active ingredient(s) must be a PharmaCare benefit in another oral form, or the client must have a current Special Authority in place for the active ingredient(s). Pharmacists must document on the original prescription the reason the client requires a suspension.
Dermatological compounds	Dermatological compounds are a benefit when all of the following conditions are met: The active ingredients are prescribed by a medical practitioner The active ingredients are on the list of eligible active ingredients (below) Any specific coverage criteria for each active ingredient is met The active ingredients are compounded into an eligible base A specific compound benefit PIN has been assigned by PharmaCare for the active ingredient or particular combination of active ingredients. Refer to Compounded Prescription PINs Important: Transdermal compounds are not a benefit.
Topical antifungals	Topical antifungal compounds are a benefit only if the client has a current Special Authority for the specific active ingredient
Retinoic acid	Retinoic acid compounds are a benefit only if the client has Special Authority approval for the specific active ingredient
Preservative-free sterile eye drops	Preservative-free sterile eye drops are a benefit when: Prescribed by an ophthalmologist due to a client allergy to preservatives in commercially available prescription eye drops; AND A specific compound benefit PIN has been assigned for the active ingredient or particular combination of active ingredients. Refer to Compounded Prescription PINs The prescriber must verify on the original prescription that there has been a significant allergic reaction and identify the ingredient suspected of triggering the reaction.
Plan P injectable analgesics: continuous ambulatory delivery device (CADD) pumps	The required repackaging of a prescribed injectable Plan P benefit medication(s) into a CADD pump is a compound benefit when the client is registered for Plan P
Plan P intrathecal analgesics	Intrathecal analgesic compounds are a benefit for clients registered for Plan P

Dermatological compounds—eligible active ingredients and criteria for coverage

Dermatological compounds

Eligible active ingredient	Coverage criteria
Anthralin	For psoriasis, eczema, and other severe dermatological conditions
Camphor	Only when in combination with at least one prescription benefit ingredient
Clindamycin in Duonalc™	Only clindamycin in Duonalc™ is a benefit; clindamycin in Reversa™ or any other over‑the-counter medicated base is not a benefit
Coal tar	None
Corticosteroids	Only when used as additives or as a medicated benefit base (e.g., hydrocortisone, betamethasone, clobetasol). Preparations containing a corticosteroid compounded with a non-benefit or over‑the‑counter medicated product are not benefits.
Erythromycin	None
Liquor Carbonis Detergens (LCD)	None
Menthol	Only in combination with at least one prescription benefit ingredient
Metronidazole	None
Salicylic acid	For psoriasis, eczema, and other severe dermatological conditions
Sulfur, sulfacetamide	When added to, or combined with, a medicated benefit base

Dermatological compounds—eligible non-medicated bases

If a non-medicated base is not listed below, contact the PharmaCare Help Desk before submitting a claim.

Ineligible compounds

PharmaCare does not cover compounds containing non-benefit ingredients. If a compound is not eligible for PharmaCare coverage but is claimed using a PIN for a benefit compound, the claim is subject to recovery.

Discontinued products

PharmaCare does not cover compounds intended to replace commercially available products that have been discontinued by the manufacturer, even if the commercial product was a benefit.

Special Authority coverage for compounds to replace discontinued products may be requested only after the client’s practitioner has:

• Reassessed the client’s need for that specific drug and dosage form, and
• Contacted Health Canada’s Special Access Program to determine if the product is available through that route

Manufacturer shortages

PharmaCare does not automatically cover compounds intended to replace products unavailable due to a manufacturer shortage. When notified of a shortage, PharmaCare will first verify the shortage and expected duration of the shortage with the manufacturer.

If a shortage is expected to last for an extended period of time, PharmaCare normally establishes a specific PIN and maximum price in PharmaNet for replacement compounds. Replacement compounds can then be claimed using these PINs for the duration of the shortage. The submission of Special Authority requests is not required if a specific PIN has been assigned. The PIN assigned must be in place before a claim is submitted.

If PharmaCare has not assigned a PIN for a replacement compound, prior Special Authority approval is required.

Refer to Drug shortages for information about current drug shortages and substitutions. 

Special Authority for non-benefit compounds

PharmaCare recognizes that there may be exceptional, last-resort circumstances that justify coverage of non‑benefit compounds. Special Authority approval is required for PharmaCare coverage of non-benefit compound prescriptions.

Such requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. PharmaCare may approve full, partial or no coverage. If Special Authority coverage for a compound is approved, PharmaCare provides the pharmacy with a specific PIN that must be used when submitting the claim.

Pharmacies are required to submit a HLTH 5425 - Compound Costing Worksheet (PDF, 521KB) for compounds that require Special Authority approval. A copy of the approved Compound Costing Worksheet must be retained on file with the original prescription.

Refer to Submitting a Special Authority request for a compound at the end of this section.

Maximum allowable fees

The maximum allowable compounding fees that PharmaCare will reimburse are specified in the table below. If a compound does not appear in the table below, PharmaCare Special Authority will review compounding costs on a case-by-case basis and determine an appropriate compounding fee.  

Compounding fees must be added to the ingredient costs, and the combined amount entered in the Drug Cost field in PharmaNet. Do not include the compounding fee in the Dispensing Fee field.

Compounding fees in excess of PharmaCare maximums—or the amount approved by Special Authority—must not be claimed in the Drug Cost field. Upcharges on compounding fees must be entered in the Cost Upcharge field so that the amount becomes payable by the client or their alternate insurer.

The table below lists maximum fees for both benefit compounds and compounds approved by Special Authority that would otherwise be a non-benefit. The inclusion of a fee for a particular type of compound, therefore, does not necessarily mean benefit status.

Compound	Maximum allowable compound fee
Oral solutions	$20.00
Oral suspensions	$20.00
Capsules	$0.30 per capsule
Suppositories	$40.00 *
Oral lozenges	$40.00 *
CADD injections	$20.00
Sterile IV, IM, SC injections	$20.00
Intrathecal injections	$40.00
Creams/ointments/lotions < or = 250 gm/mL	$15.00
Creams/ointments/lotions > or = 251 gm/mL	$20.00
Sterile eye drops, preservative-free	$30.00

* Where appropriate (e.g., when the prescription will be dispensed on a frequent, short days’ supply basis), the compounding fee for suppositories and oral lozenges will be pro-rated during Special Authority adjudication.

Relationship of compounding fees to dispensing fees

Pharmacies can claim both their usual dispensing fee and a compounding fee.

Ingredient costs

Ingredient costs for compounds are subject to all PharmaCare Pricing Policies.

Ingredient costs for commercial products must be claimed at the lowest of any pricing policy applicable to the product (e.g., the Maximum Pricing Policy, Low Cost Alternative Program, Reference Drug Program).

Raw ingredients are subject to the Actual Acquisition Cost Policy.

PharmaCare expects pharmacies to use the most reasonably priced ingredients when compounding PharmaCare benefits. For example:

• Omeprazole—use powder instead of capsules
• Sodium bicarbonate—use powder and water instead of sodium bicarbonate injectable for oral/topical products that do not require sterility

Equipment and supply costs

PharmaCare covers the cost of the following supplies and equipment:

• Required supplies and special packaging such as gelatin capsules, cassettes/bags/syringes for administration devices, IV bags, adapta-caps, EMP jars
• Disposable, required supplies and equipment applicable to a particular compound claim, such as weighing boats, syringes, filters, needles, for compounding/measuring.

Reimbursement for eligible supplies and equipment is subject to the Actual Acquisition Cost Policy.

PharmaCare does not cover these costs: 

• Charges for equipment use, lab fees, pH metre fees, etc., 
• Cost of gowns, booties, and similar items

Product Identification Numbers (PINs)

Enter claims for prescription compounds using the applicable benefit or non-benefit compound PIN.

Claims for non-benefit compounds that are submitted using a PIN for a benefit compound are subject to recovery.

When Special Authority coverage for a compound is approved, PharmaCare will provide the pharmacy with a specific PIN for use when submitting the claim. Pharmacists must use that specific PIN when submitting the claim to PharmaNet.

Refer to Compounded Prescriptions PINs for the list of PINs.

Contracted compounding services

When a pharmacy contracts another pharmacy to provide a compound for individual prescriptions, the dispensing pharmacy may not claim more than is permitted under the PharmaCare Compounded Prescriptions policy.

When determining if contracting this service is appropriate, the dispensing pharmacy should ensure the contracted pharmacy will provide the compound at a cost within PharmaCare policy limits.

If a pharmacy contracts another pharmacy to provide a compound, the pharmacy must ask the compounding pharmacy for a cost breakdown and must retain that cost breakdown on file in keeping with the recordkeeping requirements below.

Recordkeeping requirements

For benefit compounds, pharmacies must document the following information and retain it on file with the original prescription:

• Compound ingredients and their concentration, dosage form and quantity
• Itemized cost of each ingredient and total ingredient costs
• Itemized supply and equipment costs and total costs
• Compounding fee

This information may be recorded on the prescription or on a separate document attached to the prescription. The HLTH 5425 - Compound Costing Worksheet (PDF, 521KB) may be used for this purpose.

If a change in costs occurs for a refill of a compound, pharmacies must complete and retain a new compound costing document, including all the information above.

For compounds requiring Special Authority, pharmacies must retain on file with the original prescription a copy of the SA-approved HLTH 5425 - Compound Costing Worksheet (PDF, 521KB).

Procedures for Pharmacists

Submitting a claim for a compound in PharmaNet

When submitting a claim for a compound:

• In the Drug Cost field, enter the combined amount for:
  • eligible ingredient costs, plus
  • eligible compounding fee, plus
  • eligible equipment and supply costs.

Do not add the compounding fee to the Dispensing Fee field.

• In the Dispensing Fee field, enter your usual dispensing fee
• In the Upcharge field, enter any portion of the compounding fee, ingredient costs, or supply/equipment costs that exceeds PharmaCare reimbursement maximums or the amounts approved by Special Authority. These amounts will then be payable by the client or their alternate insurer

1. Enter the relevant PIN from the Compounded Prescription PINs or the specific Special Authority PIN.
2. To ensure complete information is available to other healthcare providers using PharmaNet, enter the following at the beginning of the Directions for Use (SIG) field: 

• If PIN identifies the active ingredient(s): Enter the dose and/or concentration along with the directions for use
• If PIN does not adequately identify the active ingredient: Enter the active ingredient(s), the dose and/or concentration, along with the directions for use

Examples for specific compound types

BENEFIT COMPOUND SUSPENSIONS
Benefit compound PINs are drug/dosage form specific. To ensure the dose and concentration is visible to other PharmaNet users, enter it exactly as indicated in the example below:
Prescription	felodipine 10 mg (in suspension) once daily.
PIN	22123241
Description in PharmaNet	felodipine compounded suspension
Directions for SIG field	Take 5 mL (10 mg) once daily
PALLIATIVE BENEFIT CADD PUMP COMPOUNDS
CADD pump PINs specify whether or not the ingredient is narcotic. The dose is usually included in the directions of the prescription. To identify the specific drug being used, enter it exactly as indicated in the example below.
Prescription	hydromorphone 20 mg/mL for CADD. 3.5 mg/hr and 7 mg BTP q20min
PIN	22123288
Description in PharmaNet	narcotic CADD pump compound: palliative
Directions for SIG field	Run 3.5 mg/hr (hydromorphone) and 7 mg for BTP every 20 min.
BENEFIT DERMATOLOGICAL COMPOUNDS
PINs for these medications identify the ingredient or class of ingredients. Pharmacists are not required to enter the specific corticosteroid or concentration of ingredients. Example below.
Prescription	HC 1% + menthol 0.25% cream. BID
PIN	22123278
Description in PharmaNet	corticosteroid + menthol +/or camphor
Directions for SIG field	Enter usual directions for use.

Examples for specific compound types

BENEFIT COMPOUNDED PRESERVATIVE-FREE EYEDROPS
PINS for eyedrops identify the active ingredient and that the eyedrops are preservative-free. Add the concentration of the eyedrops to the directions as indicated in the example below.
Prescription	timolol 0.25% preservative-free eyedrops. 1 gtt BID.
PIN	22123295
Description in PharmaNet	timolol PF cpd eyedrop
Directions for SIG field	Instil 1 drop (0.25%) in left eye twice daily.
PALLIATIVE BENEFIT COMPOUNDED INTRATHECAL INJECTIONS
Due to wide variation in ingredients and concentration of ingredients, the PINs give only a general description. It is not necessary to add information to the usual instructions for use. Example below.
Prescription	intrathecal fentanyl 1000 mcg + bupivicaine 40 mcg + clonidine 100 mcg/mL
PIN	22123302
Description in PharmaNet	narcotic + non-narcotic intrathecal cpd: palliative
Directions for SIG field	Enter usual directions for use.

Retain the original prescription and supporting documentation on file (refer to Recordkeeping Requirements).

Submitting a Special Authority request for a compound

To obtain Special Authority approval for coverage, the following documentation is needed:

From a medical practitioner:

• A Compound Coverage Request (PDF, 536KB) indicating: 
  • the compound prescribed
  • why the compound is required for the particular client
  • the name of the compounding pharmacy (so that PharmaCare can contact the pharmacy)

For certain palliative care compounds, a copy of the prescription may suffice as supporting documentation. Contact the PharmaCare Help Desk to determine the documents required.

From a pharmacy:

• A HLTH 5425 - Compound Costing Worksheet (PDF, 521KB) including: 
  • drug, concentration, dosage form, and quantity
  • itemized cost of each ingredient
  • itemized supply and equipment costs
  • days’ supply
  • time required to compound (active compounding time only; do not include set‑up, cleaning, or administrative time)
• Retain a copy of the Compound Costing Worksheet on file with the prescription
• Wait for PharmaCare Special Authority approval before dispensing the compound

When PharmaCare receives the Special Authority Request and cost breakdown, it will decide the amount, if any, that is eligible for PharmaCare coverage.

PharmaCare will advise the:

• Prescriber of Special Authority approval or denial
• Pharmacy of the amount eligible for PharmaCare coverage and the specific PIN to be used when submitting the claim

Submitting same-day/same-PHN compound prescriptions

If a pharmacy submits multiple claims for compounded prescriptions on the same day using the same PIN for different preparations for the same PHN, PharmaNet cannot determine that they are separate prescriptions and will reject them because it will interpret them as an error. To prevent rejection of multiple same-day/same PHN claims for compounds, submit the claim with the Intervention Code UF – Patient Gave Adequate Explanation.

Tools and resources

• Compounded Prescription PINs
• HLTH 5425 - Compound Costing Worksheet (PDF, 521KB)
• HLTH 5479 - Compound Coverage Request (PDF, 536KB)