Why does cannabis treatment need to be personalized?

Safety and efficacy of compounded medications were at the center of the debate in the latest episode of Deusa Cast, which hosted Marco Fiaschetti, executive director of Anfarmag (National Association of Compounding Pharmacists). 

The conversation addressed common doubts about the sector and highlighted the role of compounding pharmacies in personalized medicine, including treatments such as weight loss, hormone replacement, and medical cannabis.

Throughout the episode, Fiaschetti explained how the compounding model has been gaining ground by offering individualized therapies, focusing on the specific needs of each patient.

Rigor and oversight in the compounding sector

During the conversation, Marco Fiaschetti emphasized that the quality of compounded medications is directly linked to rigorous oversight and control processes. According to him, Brazil is a global reference in the segment precisely because it has well-established technical and sanitary standards.

The role of Anfarmag, according to the executive, helps ensure that compounded products exactly follow what was prescribed by healthcare professionals, respecting dosages, pharmaceutical forms, and safety standards.
Individuality at the core of care

Another point highlighted in the episode was the role of compounding pharmacies in personalized medicine. According to Fiaschetti, the sector's proposal is based on the understanding that each patient has unique needs, which is directly reflected in how treatments are developed.

“The compounding pharmacy starts from the assumption that each individual is unique and, consequently, care needs to be unique,” he stated.

In the case of medical cannabis, for example, this customization allows for specific adjustments in concentration, form of use, and combination with other active ingredients, according to the medical prescription.

Flexibility in pharmaceutical forms and treatment adherence

Fiaschetti also pointed out that compounding allows for adapting the medication to the patient's needs and preferences, which can contribute to better treatment adherence. Examples include people having difficulty swallowing pills, restrictions on certain colorants, or needing liquid presentations, such as drops or syrups.

“The compounding pharmacy is the one that provides the same medication in different forms, taking into account these preferences,” he stated.

Furthermore, the possibility of combining different active ingredients in a single formula can simplify therapeutic routines, especially in long-term treatments.

Integration between physician and compounding pharmacist

The episode also addressed the importance of the joint action between physicians and compounding pharmacists. According to Marco Fiaschetti, this constant dialogue is essential to monitor the patient's progress and adjust the therapy when necessary.

“The therapy requires close monitoring of this patient. It is the compounding pharmacist's contact very close to the prescriber, precisely to monitor the development of that therapy,” he explained.

Watch below the clip where the specialist talks about the subject above: