Pharmacy trade group shifts position on federal oversight

The head of the nations largest trade group for specialty pharmacies called compounders said he will support legislation requiring pharmacies that operate like drug manufacturers to register with the Food and Drug Administration and be subject to stricter standards enforced by the agency.

The new position by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacies follows a Washington Post investigation that showed 15 of the nations largest compounding pharmacies, which make custom-ordered medications, operate like drug manufacturers but do not have to register with the federal government or follow the same safety laws.

Graphic

Here are basic steps a compounder could follow to make a drug.

Special Report

Lena H. Sun and Kimberly Kindy

She calls for stronger and clearer legislation on oversight of large-scale compounding companies.

David Brown

Risks of medications made at compounding pharmacies have been known for years.

Kimberly Kindy, Lena H. Sun and Alice Crites

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Pharmacy trade group shifts position on federal oversight