Compounding (also pharmaceutical compounding and compounding pharmacy) is the preparation of a special pharmaceutical product to adapt the individual needs of a patient.
EMP stands for “Electronic Mortar and Pestle” and is used as byword for the gako unguator line of products. Any gako unguator mixing device is called EMP. EMP-jar and gako unguator jar is synonymous.
So far today, ointment preparations according to the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standard are limited in pharmacies. It is important that a validation in the preparation of prescription ointments is guaranteed. Only with such validation will the quality and dependability of the product be reached. Firstly, the preparation with the conventional method of the mortar and pestle risks microbiotic contamination of the ointment. Secondly, ointments that are sold in the conventional jars, are contaminated with the finger and germs kill the effectiveness of the prescription.
Generally no. In almost all instances, the use of the Unguator – technology is specified to the preparation of various prescription ointments. We have experienced that approximately 95 % of all ointment formulations sold in pharmacies can be guaranteed with the gako unguator-equipment, as well as with the traditional ointment mill. Recommended preparations include:
- Suspension ointments
- Gels
- Emulsion ointments
- Waxes and hydrophilic ointments
- Pastes
- Crystalline substances, such as urea, can be added to the mixing jar, after being crushed down
with the traditional mortar and pestle.
It is advised that individual ointment preparations that are given to the patient, are disposed without the reuse or refill. The threat of germ contamination is too great for the new prescription ointment that is to be prepared in the recycled ointment container. For the mixing in gako unguator jars in larger quantities, the same container can be reused for the same ointment mixing process that is then dispensed into smaller ointment jars for sale to the patient.
The best selling sizes of ointment jars are generally 50 ml and 100 ml. Usually, these are the amounts in dosage that doctors prescribe to their patients for treating an infection or other illness.
Additionally, 300 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml jars are used more often in pharmacies for preparing the ointment in bulk, before dispensing into smaller jars with aid of the gako unguator coupling.
In Germany, appr. 50 % of pharmacists use the Unguator – Technology for the preparation of prescription ointments. Neither, the mortar and pestle nor the ointment plate can even be compared with this new technology. The advantages of fast preparation, few, if any, germ contaminations or air intakes and no cleaning requirements have also convinced pharmacists worldwide. One reason for not choosing the Unguator – Technology by pharmacists has generally been the limited requirement of actually preparing prescription ointments. With the introduction of the short (ear and nose) and long (rectum and vagina) applicators for injection as well as varionozzles of 1, 2 and 4 mm the gako unguator jars have shown tremendously popular for various purposes.
For the 300 ml and 500 ml ointment jars, the spindle serves as the tool to screw the sliding bottom to the very top. It is necessary to review the use of it in the operating manual, before penetrating the sliding bottom after the mixing process. This method of dispensing the ointment has proven very successful by pharmacists and should soon be introduced to the smaller containers as well.
In Germany, the color red and white stands for the pharmaceutical field and has therefore been chosen for the gako unguator jars.
The green lid has recently been introduced and all white ointment jars can be manufactured for certain bulk orders.
The material is a fully recyclable plastic and only available as such, guaranteeing the sealed vacuum and hygeneity affordable for a homogeneic prescription ointment.
Currently, we have the following equipment available:
- gako unguator BASIC, EMP and PRO
- Standard and disposable mixing blades
- Jars 15 ml … 1000 ml
- Dispensing spindle for size 300 ml and 500 ml jars
- AirDynamic dispensing system for jar sizes 300 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml
- Varionozzles 1, 2 and 4 mm
- Exact dose and precise dosing systems (pds)
- Applicators (long without cap and short with cap), coupling
As for the gako unguator jars, liquid as well as more solid ointments can be prepared, as the walls and specially designed seals from the moveable bottoms assist with the effect to keep jars from leakage.
In regards to the mixing blades, the average life of the standard mixer is expected to be no less than two years.