COMPOUNDING PHARMACY: Disadvantages

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd

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⚠️ Cons of Compounding Pharmacies

1. Quality and Safety Concerns

  • Medications are not FDA-approved, meaning they don’t go through the same rigorous testing as commercial drugs.
  • Risk of contamination or incorrect formulation if strict standards aren’t followed.
  • Potency can vary between batches, leading to inconsistent therapeutic effects.

2. Limited Regulation

  • Oversight is less stringent compared to mass-produced pharmaceuticals.
  • Standards may differ depending on the state or the specific pharmacy.
  • Patients may not always know whether their compounding pharmacy meets high-quality benchmarks.

3. Insurance and Cost Issues

  • Compounded medications are often not covered by insurance.
  • They can be more expensive due to customization and small-scale production.

4. Availability and Accessibility

  • Not all pharmacies offer compounding services.
  • Patients may need to travel farther or wait longer to receive their medication.

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5. Evidence and Efficacy

  • Limited clinical trials or scientific evidence supporting compounded formulations.
  • Effectiveness may rely heavily on anecdotal reports rather than standardized studies.

6. Risk of Errors

  • Human error in measuring, mixing, or labeling can lead to incorrect dosages.
  • Lack of standardized packaging may increase confusion for patients.

👉 In short: while compounding pharmacies can provide personalized solutions, the downsides include less regulation, higher costs, safety risks, and limited evidence of efficacy compared to FDA-approved medications.

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PharmD: Doctor of Pharmacy

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By Staff Reporters

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PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy

A Doctor of Pharmacy [ParrmD] is the professional degree required to become a pharmacist in the US. Practicing pharmacists complete an average of six years in school—including their pre-pharmacy education—before passing required exams and completing post-graduate training.

Here’s where things often get confusing. The word “pharmacist” is sometimes used in casual conversation to refer to healthcare professionals who aren’t technically licensed to be pharmacists.

For example, pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists. They work behind the counter among the medications right alongside the pharmacist. However, they don’t need a Doctor of Pharmacy to do their job. A pharmaceutical sales representative typically needs four years of a bachelor’s degree with a foundation in chemistry and biology, though this is not always a requirement. Neither of these professionals is technically a pharmacist, although laypeople may mistakenly describe them that way.

And pursuing a PharmD doesn’t always mean you’ll work in a community pharmacy. In fact, just slightly fewer than half of all PharmD recipients end up in this role. Another 15 percent practice in other healthcare settings—hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care centers, for example. Other pharmacy students pursue research roles, government regulation positions, or work in highly specialized areas like oncology or geriatric pharmacy.

A PharmD or RPH [registered pharmacist] fills the electronic or written prescriptions of a MD/DO/DPM/DDS/DMD. They generally can not prescribe drugs or write prescriptions, however.

As of February 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Doctor of Pharmacy in the United States was $196,904. While Salary.com suggests that a Doctor of Pharmacy salary in the US can go up to $236,908 or down to $149,197, most earn between $171,932 and $217,844.

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