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FAQs
My doctor says that compounded medications are not FDA Approved and won't prescribe them. Is this true?
A: Food And Drug Administration approval is a process that drug manufacturers (not compounding pharmacists) must go through to make, market, and sell their drug to the public. It can take as long as 7 years, and can cost as much as 300 million dollars. FDA approval is only available for manufactured medications, and these medicines cannot be changed in strength or dosage form. And that is exactly what compounding pharmacists do; they change medications to meet the specific needs of their patients. When this is done with a patented, FDA approved medication the formulation loses its FDA approval. Not because the drug loses any form of effectiveness, but because the FDA approved dosage form and strength of the original drug have been altered. Compounding allows health care providers to prescribe customized medications, FDA approved or not, to solve medication problems. The FDA recognizes compounding as viable and legal, but because of the individuality of each prescription, the FDA can not approve each and every compound that is formulated by a compounding pharmacist.
Q: What are the benefits of compounding?
A:There are virtually unlimited options available through customized and compounded medications. Customized medications make available many products and benefits not found in commercially available medications, such as:
- Alternative dosage forms
- Physician specific formulations
- Combination drug therapies
- Modified dosages
- Cost effective therapy
- Backordered and/or discontinued medications
Q: How do I get a compounded medicine from The Compounding Shop?
A: Florida Law states that a prescription is needed for all compounds, even if the ingredients themselves are over-the-counter. Ask your physician for a prescription.
Q: What if my physician does not know how to write for a compound?
A: All of our pharmacists are happy to assist physicians in writing for a compound prescription.
Q: Are compounds covered by my insurance?
A: Many insurance companies are covering compounds. We suggest you check with your insurance company (usually there is a toll-free number on the back of your insurance card).
Q: Will THE COMPOUNDING SHOP bill my insurance?
A: No. But we can provide all the information for you to be reimbursed by your insurance company.
Q: Why doesn't THE COMPOUNDING SHOP bill insurance?
A: Most insurance companies pay prescription claims on the basis of NDC numbers; this is a drug company's FDA assigned number for manufactured drugs. Since compounding is NOT manufacturing, we have no NDC numbers, and therefore have no way of getting reimbursed fairly for prescriptions.
Q: Can I fill my pet's prescription at THE COMPOUNDING SHOP?
A: Yes, we have many ways to make it easier for both pet and owner to treat disease. Medicine can be put in a suspension of your pet's favorite flavor, or even in a transdermal gel that can be rubbed on the animal's ear or other non-furry spot. | 
