DPSL, located at the Laurel Heights campus, supplies high quality, extemporaneously compounded products not available commercially to UCSF and other research and clinical facilities in California. DPSL researches and produces novel drug dosage forms and acts as a resource of technical information for investigators. Pharmacy students and residents are trained in theory and applications of compounding, laboratory management, and utilization of drug dosage forms. DPSL performs research on the use of drug dosage forms in ethnogeriatric populations.

DPSL makes intravenous piggybacks, large volume parenterals, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), kidney perfusates, cardioplegic solutions and preservative-free sterile drugs and solutions. Specialized ointments, creams, lotions, gels, resins, tinctures, syrups, mouthwashes, suppositories and unit of use IV and oral syringes are compounded. Oral drugs are repackaged in unit dose strips or unit of use vials. DPSL is expert at preparing active and placebo parenteral and oral formulations for clinical drug studies. Tablets may be reduced to powder, transferred to capsules and weight matched with placebo capsules. Randomization is performed. Ophthalmic, Otic, Dental and Veterinary preparations (particularly TPN for small animals) are specialties. Custom preparations are researched by pharmacists and a Ph.D. chemist, tested for pyrogens and sterility and undergo quarantine. Reimbursement is generally by recharge within UCSF and by check from outside institutions. A full quote detailing materials and labor is provided and may be used in preparing grant proposals.

For more comprehensive information, visit the DPSL website. For quotes, specialized compounding and student rotations, contact the Director of DPSL, Marcus Ferrone, Pharm.D., BCNSP, at (415) 476-1444 or by email at ferronem@pharmacy.ucsf.edu.