Extemporaneous Formulation Of Topical Corticosteroids

Abstract

To the Editor.— Dr. Caldwell correctly and accurately summarizes the study we reported on the extemporaneous formulation of a corticosteroid formulation recommended in the literature. As he clearly perceives, there was little chance that Fischer's suggested prescription for triamcinolone could approach the activity of commercial triamcinolone acetonide creams. The lack of uniformity in these compounded prescriptions did prompt our comments on the possibility of vehicle effects on drug availability. As an industrial pharmacist, we are sure Dr. Caldwell is aware that such effects are well documented in the literature. There was, however, no intent to question the competence of the highly trained, professional people who serve as our community pharmacists. The article, instead, singles out a specific instance where the physician and pharmacist may innocently collaborate to present to the patient a medicament much less active than what is readily available commercially. We hoped that, as a consequence of this