§ Regulatory & Safety
Compounding Pharmacy
A pharmacy that creates customized medication formulations, regulated under 503A or 503B rules.
Fact-checked 12 May 2026Plain-English Reference
503A pharmacies make patient-specific compounds based on individual prescriptions; 503B pharmacies ("outsourcing facilities") can produce larger batches under stricter cGMP-like rules. Both are state-licensed; only 503B is registered with the FDA. Quality varies — patients should ask for the pharmacy's name and license number.