At one time, nearly all prescriptions were compounded. With the advent of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s and â60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacistâs role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms, and most pharmacists no longer were trained to compound medications. However, the âone-size-fits-allâ nature of many mass-produced medications meant that some patientsâ needs were not being met.