Memphis pharmacies brace as Express Scripts targets compounding drugs
By Kevin McKenzie, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
However, pharmacists with independent, small businesses that provide compounded medications in the
"We can normally compound at a fair price for people. I have to sleep at night," said
Doctors order the compounds as a customized alternative to medications provided by drug manufacturers. Examples include liquefied medicines that children can swallow, painkillers that can be applied to the skin instead of causing gastrointestinal side effects, discontinued drugs and hormonal cream. Custom medications can be provided for animals as well.
"A big number of patients are affected by that," said pharmacist
The industry suffered a black eye in 2012, when a meningitis outbreak among back pain patients was traced back to the New England Compounding Center in
But in addition to state regulation, the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board awards accreditation to those that meet national standards.
"I'm not a proponent of compounding where it's not needed," said
In 2012,
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