What is the process called when a medication that is not commercially available is prepared?

The process referred to when a medication that is not commercially available is prepared is known as extemporaneous compounding. This practice is essential in pharmacy when a specific formulation is needed for a patient that is not readily available from standard manufacturers.

Extemporaneous compounding allows pharmacists to create tailored medications to meet individual patient needs, such as differing dosages, forms (like liquids instead of tablets), or eliminating certain allergens. This process ensures that patients receive the exact medication they require while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

The other choices reflect different concepts in the pharmaceutical field, with batch compounding referring to the preparation of multiple units of a medication simultaneously, and commercial preparation and pharmaceutical manufacturing being processes involved in creating medications on a large scale for widespread distribution. However, these processes do not center on individual patient needs in the same way that extemporaneous compounding does.