By PCCA

In 2020, PCCA teamed up with FlackTek to become the exclusive distributor of their SpeedMixer in the pharmacy industry. This advanced mixing machine offers compounding pharmacies the ability to prepare a variety of different materials efficiently and effortlessly, often with no cleanup required. This means more consistent, reproducible, high-quality compounded creams, gels, suspensions, powders and more in less time, with less effort. And because it uses a closed mixing system, the FlackTek SpeedMixer reduces pharmacy compounders’ exposure to chemicals compared with traditional mixing methods. But there’s even more to this incredible machine. Here’s why we chose to offer it to pharmacies along with a breakdown of just how much time you can expect to save when compounding various types of preparations with it.

Why did PCCA choose the FlackTek SpeedMixer?

The overall technology used by the SpeedMixer is similar to some other mixing machines available to pharmacy compounders: It is a bladeless mixing system that uses a dual, asymmetric centrifuge. It works by spinning a high-speed mixing arm in one direction while the mixing container rotates in the opposite direction. However, PCCA has tested different mixers over the last several years, and the FlackTek SpeedMixer stood out from other machines for several reasons:

• The SpeedMixer is robust; manufactured very well with high-quality materials; and will stand up to heavy, long-term use
• FlackTek is known to have very good technical support for their products
• The SpeedMixer is a good size for general pharmacy compounding
• The SpeedMixer does not need a counterbalance to mix materials like some other compounding mixers, which makes operation much easier and more efficient

These factors are in addition to many other benefits that the SpeedMixer offers.

How much time can the FlackTek SpeedMixer save you in the lab?

As mentioned above, the SpeedMixer can help your pharmacy be more efficient. Our Formulation Development team has been working with it for a while, and they noticed that it can save a lot of time in the compounding lab for a variety of compounded dosage forms. To see just how much, they prepared several different types of compounds in the SpeedMixer and also prepared them using conventional mixing methods. The results were astonishing. You can see them in the infographic below. You can also see the FlackTek SpeedMixer in action by visiting our online product catalog.

What does PCCA add to the FlackTek SpeedMixer?

PCCA’s knowledge and experience with compounded formulations add even more of an advantage to FlackTek’s great product and support. We developed over 30 formulas that use this machine, and PCCA members with Clinical Services support can access them in our formula database . These formulas have all undergone content uniformity testing to ensure reproducible results when using PCCA chemicals and following the specific compounding procedures indicated in the formulas. Additionally, members with Clinical services access can contact us with any formulation questions they may have. This support saves time and lowers the upfront cost of adopting this compounding mixer in your pharmacy.