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Find answers to common questions about Compound Direct
31 FAQs
FAQs
Create the stock solution as an Aliquot/Dilution ingredient in Compound Direct, then manufacture and sign off the batch. Once approved, it can be selected as an ingredient in other formulations.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Commercial drugs can be added to Compound Direct as ingredients and then selected when building your formulations. This allows you to incorporate commercially available medicines directly into your compounding workflow.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:To enable weighing for a liquid ingredient, enter the liquid density on the ingredient batch record.
The system uses the liquid density to convert the required quantity from mL to mg during the preparation stage. Once a density is available, the liquid can be weighed instead of measured by volume.
If the option to weigh a liquid is not appearing:
Open the relevant ingredient batch record.
Check whether a liquid density has been entered. If it is blank, enter the appropriate liquid density.
Return to the preparation stage. The system will then be able to calculate the required weight in mg.
Note: This is why the weighing option may appear for some liquid ingredient batches but not others. It depends on whether a liquid density has been recorded for that specific batch.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Several factors can affect the calculated ingredient quantities and final strength of a formulation.
First, check the adjustment factor and its inputs, as these directly influence the quantity required. Adjustment factors can be found under each ingredient batch.
Calculations can also vary depending on the dosage form, as different dosage forms may use different calculation methods or additional factors. For example:
Moulded preparations may apply a displacement factor.
Capsules may use pack statistics.
Scooped preparations may account for powder displacement.
The actual amount weighed can also affect the remaining quantities required. Small differences between the theoretical weight and the practical weight are expected due to measurement tolerances and ingredient properties.
For base ingredients, the required quantity may change as other ingredients are weighed. The system recalculates the remaining base amount in real time, so bases or fillers are generally recommended to be weighed last.
If the calculated quantities do not match your expectations, check the:
dosage form selected
adjustment factor and its inputs
dosage form calculation settings
applicable displacement or pack statistics
quantities already weighed
Differences in any of these factors can result in different ingredient quantities or calculated strengths.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Yes, please add pack stats even when you’re only using a pinch of an ingredient.
Pack stats help the system calculate the powder volume accurately, so the correct amount fits into each capsule shell and the formulation remains consistent. The system requires pack stat information for every ingredient used in capsule formulations for this reason.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Open the ingredient and select the relevant batch. Under Pricing, you’ll find Purchase Price and Cost Per [unit] (e.g., per gram).
For a draft or dispensed script, open the Cost or Pricing section and click Ingredient Cost or the information icon to view a breakdown of ingredient quantities, allocated batches, unit costs, and total ingredient costs. For dispensed scripts, this reflects the batches actually used.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Yes. You can add formulation reference codes to labels as QR codes. Use either an existing barcode-enabled field or a Free Text field with merge tags to encode specific information, including formulation reference codes or links.
Go to Settings → Balances, Printers & Labeling, select the label type, and add a Free Text field. Enter the merge tag, enable This text contains merge tags, then select Display as QR code.
You can also convert existing barcode-enabled fields into QR codes.
For ingredients such as sodium hydroxide used for pH adjustment, add the ingredient as an excipient and enter an estimated quantity based on previous compounding experience.
During compounding, record the actual quantity used against the selected ingredient batch. Quantities outside the configured tolerances may trigger an over- or under-quantity warning.
You can also add a risk or process step with a Write step to document the pH adjustment details. Keep the ingredient in the formulation to ensure its batch usage and cost are tracked.
You can find your PrintNode login credentials in your Compound Direct workspace.
To reconnect:
Go to Settings page.
Select Printers & Label.
In the Printers section, you will find and can copy your PrintNode Login and PrintNode Password.
Open PrintNode and sign in using these credentials.
Once signed in, PrintNode should automatically reconnect to your Compound Direct workspace.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your Balance Bricks haven't arrived or been connected, you can print a Compounding Report to use as a worksheet for recording manual weighing details.
To print the worksheet:
Go to the Dispensed Record.
Select More Actions → Export Compounding Report.
Choose the required Export Options.
Tick Lab Worksheet to generate a fillable worksheet for sterile lab use.
Click Export, then Print.
You can also use this report after your Balance Bricks are connected to view and print details of the completed compounding process.
For a detailed guide, see:
To check the alignment of your label layout, measure the physical sticker sheet and print a test label with QR codes placed at known positions along the edges. This helps verify that the label dimensions, positioning, and orientation are correct.
To check the alignment:
Measure the width and height of the physical sticker sheet.
Go to Settings → Printers & Label → Labels.
Edit the relevant label template.
Check Label Width, Label Height, and Label Top Offset against your measurements.
Add QR codes at known positions along the edges of the test label layout.
Print a test sheet using the correct printer and paper type.
Check that the QR codes appear in the expected positions to confirm the label alignment and orientation.
For a detailed guide, see:
Saved Printing Preferences take priority over the Label Variant's default printer and paper settings. If no printing preference is saved, the Label Variant defaults are used.
To save your preferred printer and paper settings, select Always print here when using this device when printing, or configure them under Preferences → Printing Preferences.
These preferences apply only to the browser where they were saved.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your printer is no longer connected or has stopped working after a computer or settings change, follow these steps:
Check that the printer is powered on and connected. Try printing a test page and install or reinstall the printer driver if needed.
Open PrintNode and make sure it is signed in, running, and the correct printer is selected.
Go to Workspace Settings → Printers & Labels → Printers → Manage Printers, then click Refresh.
Go to Your Name → Preferences → Printing Preferences and click Reload Printers. Select the correct Primary Computer and check the Computer, Printer, Paper Type, and Label Variant for each printing type.
Ensure the paper size and label layout match your physical labels, then print a test label.
Note: Printing Preferences are saved separately in each browser. If the issue persists, contact Compound Direct Support for assistance. Remote support via TeamViewer may also be arranged.
For a detailed guide, see:
For sites using multiple printers, it's best to configure Printing Preferences on each computer and browser rather than relying on the Label Variant's default settings.
Go to Your Name → Preferences → Printing Preferences and select the appropriate Computer, Printer, Paper Type, and Label Variant for each printing type.
Saved Printing Preferences take priority over Label Variant defaults and are saved automatically in the current browser. They do not carry over to other browsers or devices.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your thermal printer produces faint or unclear labels, you can adjust the Darkness setting in your computer's printer preferences.
Go to Windows Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Select your printer and open Printing Preferences.
Look for Darkness or Darkness Level, sometimes under Print Options.
Increase the darkness gradually and print a test label to check the results.
The available settings may vary depending on your printer model and driver.
Note: These settings are managed through your computer, not Compound Direct's Printing Preferences.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your labels gradually shift out of alignment when printing, check that the Label Variant, Paper Type, and label dimensions match your physical labels.
Go to Workspace Settings → Printers & Labels, open the relevant label variant, and verify the Label Width, Label Height, and Label Top Offset.
Avoid increasing the Label Height just to create extra margins, as this may cause further alignment issues.
If the labels continue to drift, contact Compound Direct Support with your printer model, label dimensions, and photos of the first and later printed labels.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your labels print upside down, you can adjust the orientation in your computer's printer settings.
Go to Windows Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Select your printer and open Printing Preferences.
Change the orientation to Portrait 180 or select the equivalent 180° rotation option.
Apply the changes and print a test label.
The option may vary depending on your printer model and driver.
Note: If other software uses the same printer, consider creating a separately named printer installation to avoid affecting its printing settings.
For a detailed guide, see:
If your labels print smaller than expected or have incorrect margins, check that the label dimensions in Compound Direct and your printer settings match your physical labels.
Measure the actual width and height of your labels in millimetres (mm).
In Workspace Settings → Printers & Labels → Labels, open the relevant Label Variant and check Label Width and Label Height.
In Windows Settings → Printers & Scanners, select your printer and open Printing Preferences to check the paper or stock dimensions.
Ensure the dimensions are consistent and the correct Paper Type is selected.
If the issue persists, contact Compound Direct Support before making further adjustments.
For a detailed guide, see:
If long text overlaps other fields, open the Label Designer and enlarge the affected text box or reposition nearby fields to create more space.
You can also enable Reduce font size to fit text to automatically adjust the text size.
The Trim text overflow option can hide text that exceeds the available space, but avoid using it for essential medication information.
Save your changes and check the generated label before printing.
For a detailed guide, see:
If different printer models require different label layouts, you can duplicate an existing Label Variant and customise the copy without affecting the original.
Go to Workspace Settings → Printers & Labels → Labels and open the relevant Label Variant.
Select More Actions → Duplicate Label Variant.
Name the copy, check its label dimensions, then click Create.
Adjust the label layout, dimensions, or Label Top Offset as needed, then Save.
Under Printing Preferences, select the appropriate Printer, Paper Type, and new Label Variant.
This allows you to maintain separate label layouts for different printers. Printing Preferences are saved per browser.
For a detailed guide, see:
If you've moved locations or connected your printer to a new computer, follow these steps to configure printing in Compound Direct:
Install the printer and its correct driver on the new computer, then print a Windows test page to confirm it works.
Install PrintNode on the computer connected to the printer. Sign in using your workspace's PrintNode credentials, select the required printers, and keep PrintNode running.
In Compound Direct, go to Your Name → Preferences → Printing Preferences and click Reload Printers.
Select the Primary Computer, then configure the Computer, Printer, Paper Type, and Label Variant for each printing type.
Print a test label to confirm the connection and alignment.
Note: Printing Preferences are saved separately in each browser, so you'll need to configure them again on the new computer or browser.
For a detailed guide, see:
This is typically needed when an ingredient cannot be weighed or contained in a single container at once. In this case, you can divide the weighing into multiple portions and continue recording the same ingredient batch until the desired quantity is reached.
To do this:
On the Preparation page, weigh the initial amount, then click ‘Confirm’.
Click the three-dot icon next to the previously selected batch, then select ‘Record additional use’.
Proceed with the next weighing and repeat the steps above until the desired quantity has been reached.
This is useful when the required quantity needs to be weighed from multiple ingredient batches.
For example, you may need to use the remaining quantity from an opened batch before opening a new one, or use remaining material from previously opened batches to fulfill the required quantity.
To do this:
On the Preparation page, select the ingredient batch using the checkbox icon.
Weigh the initial amount and click ‘Confirm’.
Select the next batch and proceed with weighing.
Repeat these steps as needed until the required quantity has been reached.
When preparing larger batches, it can be useful to divide the total quantity into multiple weighing parts. This helps when working with equipment limits or when a staged weighing process is preferred.
On the Batch Stock record, click the ‘Manufacture Batch’ button
On the Create Batch Manufacture modal, click ‘Prepare with changes’.
On the Prepare Batch Manufacture modal, enter the desired final quantity (E.g., 600) and weighing parts on the bottom-right portion of the modal. (E.g., 2) This will allow you to weigh separate parts for each ingredient.
During preparation, the system will allow you to weigh the same ingredient in 2 parts.
Each draft applies to a single preparation or product. If a patient is prescribed multiple products, each product must be drafted and dispensed individually.
However, a single order can contain multiple drafts/products for one patient, or drafts/products for multiple patients where required.
This orders feature is available as part of the Premium package.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:Commercial Drugs are dispensed and tracked in whole packs. Partial-pack dispensing is not currently supported.
To track individual units, set Quantity to 1 and select the appropriate Form (e.g., Tablet). Each pack in Compound Direct will then represent one unit.
Stock quantities, costs, and prices must also be configured per unit, as changing the quantity does not automatically update existing stock or pricing.
Use Commercial Drugs for retail, non-compounded medicines that are managed and supplied as packs.
Use External Batch Stock for compounded preparations manufactured externally and received as batch stock. When dispensing, stock is allocated from the received batches.
Avoid using these stock types interchangeably, as they serve different purposes and may affect stock management and reporting.
For a detailed guide, see:
Commercial Drugs are managed and dispensed in packs. The Quantity and Form fields define what each pack contains. For example, Quantity 28 and Form Tablet means 1 pack = 28 tablets.
Stock quantities and dispensing counts are tracked by packs, not individual tablets. Batch tracking is optional and, when enabled, also tracks quantities by pack.
For a detailed guide, see:
By default, SMS messages sent through Compound Direct display COMPOUNDING as the sender name rather than your pharmacy's name.
If you'd prefer a dedicated number, the Two-Way SMS add-on provides an Australian mobile number that customers can save under your pharmacy's name. However, this does not automatically display a verified pharmacy name.
Occasionally, mobile providers or devices may flag messages as spam. If customers aren't receiving your SMS, consider reviewing the message wording to avoid spam triggers or exploring the Two-Way SMS add-on.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our blog:You can generate a Tax Invoice directly from an order in Compound Direct.
Go to Orders and open the relevant order.
Select Print Invoice to generate a printable invoice.
If you need to send an invoice electronically, use the Invoice Link payment method in the order workflow.
You can also customise the invoice's title, logo, sender details, notes, and footer under Workspace Settings → Templates → Invoice Templates.
For a detailed guide, see:
For a list of balance models tested and verified for compatibility with Compound Direct, see our Supported Balances guide.
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