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Many health care providers are facing a big issue these days; certain prescription drugs are becoming less available and there is not enough supply to meet demand. Health care providers are looking for ways to alleviate this problem, and compounding pharmacies could play a big role. Here is how compounding pharmacies could relate to the drug shortage. 

Benefits of Compounding Pharmacies

There are some major benefits of allowing compounding pharmacies to play a role in providing drugs during this drug shortage. First of all, they will be able to provide for some of the need for drugs where there is simply a gap in the amount that drug companies can produce. But where the problem lies with manufacturer strategy, compounding pharmacies can also play a role. For instance, when drug companies produce small amounts of certain drugs to drive up the demand and cost, compounding pharmacies can act as a counter. Since they are another resource for the drug, it will be harder for the original manufacturer to hold a monopoly and control the market on these products. 

503B Compounding Pharmacies Can Play a Major Role

Many hospitals are in need; there is simply a drug shortage for certain scarce drugs. Hospitals are feeling the squeeze when they need to prescribe these drugs to patients, but there are few sources to get them from. New regulations for 503b compounding pharmacies can provide some relief. They are able to register with the FDA as an outsourcing facility to hospitals and other care providers. What this means is that hospitals would be able to directly give patients the drugs from these approved 503b facilities without having to work through the original drug companies to look for scare drugs. Hopefully, the new capabilities of 503b compounding pharmacies can help to alleviate some of the problems that hospitals are facing with finding appropriate drugs for their patients. 

This potential solution for hospitals and health care providers may be a great idea, but only if the hospitals are sure to work with approved compounding pharmacies (such as 503b compounding pharmacies). In order to continue providing a high level of care, it's important for health care providers to only work with FDA approved compounding pharmacies that work with a high level of control and care in producing their products. This way, patients can count of drugs that are of the same high quality as the major manufacturers. To learn more, contact a lab like Premier Pharmacy Labs.