Some prescriptions can’t come off a manufacturer’s shelf. Maybe the commercial product has been discontinued. Maybe your child can’t swallow pills. Maybe you need a specific dose that doesn’t exist. Maybe you’re allergic to a dye, filler, or preservative in the mass-produced version. Maybe your pet needs medication in a flavour they’ll actually take.
Compounding is how pharmacists make medications from scratch, one patient at a time, to solve exactly these problems. At Acme Drug Mart in Meadowlark, we compound prescription medications to precise specifications in a dedicated work area, following Alberta College of Pharmacy compounding and repackaging standards. And we accept prescriptions from physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, and veterinarians across Edmonton and the surrounding area.
What we compound
We handle a wide range of compounding needs. If you don’t see your use case listed, call us — we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s something we can do.
Pediatric compounding
- Flavored liquid suspensions from adult tablets or capsules for kids who can’t swallow pills
- Custom-strength oral solutions for underweight children or precise weight-based dosing
- Dye-free and allergen-free versions of medications (eliminating food dyes, lactose, gluten, peanut oil, soy)
- Small-volume dosing for neonatal and infant prescriptions
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT / BHRT)
- Custom bio-identical hormone replacement therapy in creams, capsules, troches, and suppositories
- Progesterone, estradiol, estriol, testosterone, DHEA compounding in custom strengths
- Thyroid compounding when commercial products don’t meet a patient’s needs (T3, T4, and combination)
Dermatology compounding
- Custom topical creams combining actives at strengths not commercially available
- Compounded retinoids, hydroquinone, azelaic acid, niacinamide blends
- Acne, rosacea, melasma, eczema topical compounds
- Wound care compounds
Pain management
- Topical pain creams combining NSAIDs, anaesthetics, muscle relaxants, and nerve agents
- Neuropathic pain topicals (ketamine, amitriptyline, gabapentin blends)
- Non-opioid alternatives for chronic pain when appropriate
Veterinary compounding
- Flavored medications for dogs, cats, and exotics (chicken, beef, tuna, fish, cheese, peanut butter)
- Custom-strength dosing for very small or very large animals
- Transdermal compounds for cats who won’t take oral medication
- Capsules compounded to weight
Other common requests
- Allergen-free versions of commercial medications (dye, lactose, gluten, preservatives)
- Suppositories when oral absorption is a problem
- Discontinued medication recreation (where source ingredients are still available and legal to compound)
- Lip balms and niche topicals for rare conditions
Why work with us
- Direct conversation with the compounding pharmacist — you’re not passed around a chain’s call centre
- Alberta College of Pharmacy compliant — we follow provincial compounding and repackaging regulations
- Reasonable turnaround — most non-sterile compounds are ready in 1 to 3 business days; complex orders may take longer, we’ll tell you up front
- We’ll work with your prescriber — we can fax clarification or coordinate dosing questions directly
- Blister packaging available — once we’ve compounded your regimen, we can package it into weekly compliance packs if that helps with adherence
Who we work with
- Patients with a prescription from any licensed Alberta prescriber
- Physicians and nurse practitioners — call us to discuss whether a compound is right for your patient before writing the prescription
- Dentists — pain, infection, and dry socket compounding
- Veterinarians — we welcome vet prescriptions
- Other Alberta pharmacies — if you need a compound you can’t make in-house, refer your patient to us
How to get a compounded prescription filled
- Get a prescription from your prescriber specifying the compound (strength, base, quantity, and directions). If your prescriber isn’t sure how to write it, have them call us first — we’ll help.
- Send or drop off the prescription at Acme Drug Mart. Fax (780) 443-0202 or walk in.
- We’ll review the feasibility and pricing and call you back within one business day.
- We’ll prepare it according to the formulation.
- Pickup or delivery — we offer local delivery in west Edmonton. Ask when you drop off.
Pricing and coverage
Compounded medications are priced individually based on ingredient costs, complexity, and preparation time. We’ll always quote you the full cost before we start compounding, so there are no surprises at pickup.
Coverage: Many private insurance plans cover compounded medications with a completed invoice. Alberta Blue Cross coverage varies by plan and ingredient. We’ll give you a properly itemized receipt for your insurance claim. AHCIP generally does not cover compounded medications.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
Most non-sterile compounds are ready in 1 to 3 business days. Complex custom formulations may take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline when we quote the compound.
Can you compound anything?
No. Some compounds are outside our scope, or the active ingredients aren’t available, or the compound is clinically inappropriate. We’ll tell you up front if it’s something we can’t do.
Can my prescriber just write “compounded” and you’ll figure it out?
Ideally, the prescriber specifies the active ingredient(s), strength, base, quantity, and directions. If they’re not sure, ask them to call us at (780) 443-0202 and we’ll work it out with them before they write the prescription.
Is compounded medication as safe as a commercial one?
Compounded medications prepared by a licensed pharmacist following Alberta College of Pharmacy standards are safe for their intended use. Compounding is how pharmacy worked for centuries before mass manufacturing, and it remains the right answer when a commercial product can’t meet a patient’s needs.
Do you do sterile compounding?
Ask us directly when you call — the scope varies by product type. Most patient requests are for non-sterile compounds (oral, topical, transdermal), which we handle routinely.
Can I get this insured?
Private insurance frequently covers compounded medications. We’ll provide a properly coded receipt you can submit. AHCIP does not typically cover compounds.
Do you compound for veterinarians?
Yes. We welcome veterinary prescriptions for companion animals.
I’m a physician / NP / DMD — how do I refer?
Fax or e-prescribe to Acme Drug Mart, or call us to discuss the patient first. We’re happy to talk through feasibility before you write the prescription. Phone: (780) 443-0202.
Visit us
Acme Drug Mart
15508 87 Ave NW, Unit 103 (inside Meadowlark Place Professional Centre)
Edmonton, AB T5R 4G5
Phone: (780) 443-0202
Hours: Mon 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tue–Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sat/Sun
Free parking. Easily accessible from all of west Edmonton, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, and Sherwood Park.
