Non-sterile manufacturing is an important aspect of the pharmaceutical industry. Many companies advertise that their medications provide everything that you are looking for but knowing the exact measures and detailing that go into that can be helpful in choosing what is right for you.
If you have ever wondered what goes into compounding medications and the certain steps taken to provide the personalized medications that you can find in your cabinets, this article has the answers.
Sterile Manufacturing vs Non-Sterile Manufacturing
There are two basic ways of manufacturing drugs a.k.a compounding. The difference lies in what the desired product being made is. With sterile compounding, the manufacturer is most likely preparing medications that require a sterile environment to decrease the risk of infection. This risk comes from how the medication is administered and it includes things like injections, intravenous medications, and eye drops.
Unlike sterile manufacturing, non-sterile manufacturing is less concerned about there being potential traces of bacteria present in the preparation. It is the more common mode of compounding. Although the products made in non-sterile manufacturing are not compounded in a completely sterile environment, there are still certain guidelines that must be followed in production.
A few of these guidelines include maintaining active ingredient potency and purity, keeping all surfaces and equipment as clean as possible, and ensuring accurate mixing, labeling, packaging, and storage of the desired product.
Advantages of Non-Sterile Manufacturing
There are many advantages to non-sterile manufacturing, which is why it is the more commonly used method in compounding medications. It allows your doctor and pharmacist to collaborate to create a medication that meets your specific needs. A few other advantages are as listed:
- Your medication has a custom-made dosage or strength. Compared to commercially available products, drugs that are made through non-sterile manufacturing are catered to what your body needs. This will also allow you to avoid unwanted side effects that may come along with a generic dosage recommendation.
- Flavoring can be added to make medications more agreeable without changing the efficacy. This advantage is useful for children, animals, or people who don’t enjoy the taste of medication.
- Non-sterile manufacturing also allows for the removal of undesirable inactive ingredients. This kind of compounding invites for reformulations of products that include things like dyes, glute, or lactose that may provoke sensitives for a certain patient.
What is Made with Non-Sterile Manufacturing?
Treatments can also be made more personalized by creating alternate formulations by way of non-sterile compounding. Using alternate formulations to make a product, a patient would be able to take their medication however they want. Some ways include:
- Liquids
- Topical gels, creams, ointments, etc.
- Sustained-release oral products
- Medicated shampoos
- Medicated lip balm
Take Away
Non-sterile manufacturing is a great option to specifically meet the needs of a variety of patients. As the more common form of compounding, there is a chance that you have taken medications that were made in this way.
