Research Initiatives

The Research and Education Committee was formed in June 2004 to fulfill the IACP Foundation’s mission to advance the art and science of pharmacy compounding by funding research and public education initiatives within the profession. An 18-member volunteer committee worked diligently the first year to establish the priorities for giving and the application process.

Since 2005, the IACP Foundation has awarded more than $275,000 for studies researching compounded preparation potency and stability and outcomes of treatment with compounded medications. 

Current Projects:

Evaluation of the Percutaneous Absorption of ABH gels across Porcine Ear and Human Abdominal Skin

Principal Investigators: Sai HS. Boddu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, The University of Toledo; Kenneth Alexander, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, The University of Toledo; Matthew Frank, P2 PharmD Student, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo

Determination of Beyond Use Dates and Skin Penetration of Transdermal Gels Containing Multiple Active Ingredients

Principal Investigators: John Arnold, Ph.D. and Greg Gorman, Ph.D., McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University

Stability and Beyond-Use-Date Studies for Six Commonly Prescribed Agents Used in the Transdermal Treatment of Chronic Pain

Principal Investigator: Curt R. Cyr, R.Ph., Ph.D., University of New England, College of Pharmacy

Topical Ketamine in the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Principal Investigator: Melissa J. Durham, Pharm.D., University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Extension of Beyond the Use Dates for Combination Topical Pain Medications

Principal Investigator: Jwala Renukuntla, Ph.D., South College School of Pharmacy

Systematic Review of Pharmacy Compounding of Pain Medication

Principal Investigator: Mohammad S. Shawaqfeh, M.S., Pharm.D., NOVA Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy

Formulation and Stability Studies of a Preservative Free Prochlorperazine Nasal Spray for Pain Relief in Migraine

Principal Investigator: Venkata Kashyap Yellepeddi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences

Beyond-Use Date (BUD) Testing Data on Erectile Dysfunction

Principal Investigator: Sarah Billings, PharmD, CDE; Director of Clinical Programs; Grove Pharmacy

Published Projects:  

Evaluation of the stability of mercaptopurine suspension compounded in a commercial vehicle and the determination of an appropriate beyond-use date

Principal Investigators: Peacock Gina F, Sauvageot Jurgita, Hill Ashley, Killian Alyssa
Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) Jan/Feb 2016, Volume 20, Number 1

Pharmacists’ Perceptions of the Economic Value of Compounded Pharmaceuticals: A Comparison of Compounded and Commercial Pharmaceuticals in Select Disease States

Principal Investigators: William B. Lobb, RPh, PhD, Noel E. Wilkin, RPh, PhD, Erin R. Holmes, PharmD, PhD
Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) Nov/Dec 2015, Volume 19, Number 6

Solid-State Stability of Compounded Levothyroxine Formulations

Principal Investigators: Deepa A. Rao, PhD; Assistant Professor; Jeff Fortner, RPh, PharmD; Assistant Professor; Pacific University School of Pharmacy

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) Sept/Oct 2015, Volume 19, Number 5

Development and Validation of an inexpensive, simple, and rapid technique for measuring the accuracy of extemporaneously compounded pharmaceuticals

Principal Investigators: Claudia Meek, PhD; Andrew Rothardt; Jason Evans, PharmD; Rosanne Thurman, PharmD; Lisa Ashworth, BS Pharm, RPh; Richard Leff, PharmD

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) July/August 2015

Skin penetration and antinociception of topical gabapentin formulations

Principal Investigators: Scott Asbill, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutics and Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy; Evan Bryson; Sarah Sweitzer, PhD

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) Nov/Dec 2014, Volume 18, Number 6

Impact of the chemical and physical stability of ketoprofen compounded in various pharmaceutical bases on its topical and transdermal delivery

Principal Investigators: Adwoa O. Nornoo, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Jordan Wulz; Haena Yoon; Yu Nan; Michele Lese

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in Pharmaceutical Development Technology 2014 Nov 28: 1-10

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of a pluronic lecithin organogel containing ricinoleic acid for transdermal delivery

Principal Investigators: Sai HS. Boddu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics, Frederic and Mary Wolfe Center, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo HSC, Sindhu Prabha Bonam, BS; Yangjie Wei, BS; Kenneth Alexander, PhD
Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) May/June 2014, Volume 18, Number 3

CHOIiCE: The Effects of Compounded Bioidentical Transdermal Hormone Therapy on Hemostatic, Inflammatory, and Immune Factors; Cardiovascular Biomarkers; Quality of Life Measures; and Health Outcomes in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Principal Investigator: Kenna Stephenson, MD, FAAFP; Associate Professor of Family Medicine; The University of Texas Health Sciences Center

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC) January/February 2013

Click here to view the abstract. *This abstract was published in Circulation, Feb. 21; 115(8).

Click here to view the abstract.  *This abstract was published in Labome.org, May 2013.  

Potency Evaluation of Morphine, Bupivicaine & Clonidine Solution for Intrathecal Administration

Principal Investigator: Richard B. Moon, PharmD, BS, RPh, FIACP

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to test potency of Morphine, Bupivicaine & Clonodine Solution for Intrathecal Administration at zero, 30, 90 and 180 days.
Click here to view project.

Potency Evaluation of Albuterol, Ipratropium Bromide and Budesonide Inhalation over 6 months

Principal Investigator: Richard B. Moon, PharmD, BS, RPh, FIACP

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to test potency of albuterol, budesonide and ipratropium bromide at zero, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 180 days and present the finding in a poster session at IACP’s Annual Meeting and Compounders on Capitol Hill. Multiple testing dates requested due to relative fragility of ADI’s involved. 

Stability of Tetracycline Hydrochloride in a Compounded Mixture

Principal Investigators: Kathleen Martin, PhD, Jade Weaver and Amanda Jacobs; University of the Incarnate Word

Potency Testing—Variability between Analytical Testing Laboratories

Principal Investigators: Matthew J. Buderer, RPh, FIACP, and Nancy Buderer, MS, CIP, Biostatistician 

Abstract: The goal of this study is to estimate the variability between analytical testing laboratories when analyzing the potency of a non-sterile compounded gel preparation. We are interested in the reliability of potency testing across laboratories, that is, the variability (differences) between laboratories. When given the same sample of an unknown potency to analyze, do the labs come up with the same result?
*This study was published in the Jan./Feb. 2009 issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding. 

Patient-Centered Care Services in the Community-Based Compounding Practice

Principal Investigator: Timothy B. McPherson, PhD, RPh; South Illinois University