I’m grateful for the option of the compound pharmacy, as a physician who is also a patient. I developed obesity and was prescribed weight loss medications. Initially my insurance approved and the local retail pharmacies carried . However , suddenly and without warning , the medicine was not available. I went without for several months, gaining weight back, until I tried a compound pharmacy. As a physician I was very hesitant. However I researched and found a legitimate pharmacy that offered the medication I needed and tried. Based on the results and side effects, the medicine was clearly the same. The local retail pharmacy stocked the medicine again, and I was able to get one more prescription, until my insurance opted to no longer cover he medicine. The prohibitive pricing at the retail pharmacy, and the intermittent and unreliable availability of the medicine have led me to only use the compound pharmacy at this point.
Of note, I am transitioning into menopause. And my Gynocologist is working on getting the right hormone replacement therapy , but it’s not been easy. I have almost no testosterone, but the only way to get testosterone as a woman with an appropriate dose is via one pill option an oral estrogen /testosterone combo pill. However I do not and can not tolerate oral estrogen. I am working with my gynecologist to brainstorm how to get testosterone, and we likely will need to utilize compounding pharmacy.
Limited options to the people only give all the power (and money) to the big pharma monopolies. Please don’t take away options.
If you are really concerned then make sure the pharmacies are licensed and monitor like any pharmacy is monitored. That’s fair, equitable, and allows people choose and ability to access the medication they need.
Thank you.