Congratulations to the 2021 winners of the Pharmacy Compounding Foundation and Pharmacists Mutual...
At a time when policy debates, drug shortages, and market shifts continue to redefine healthcare delivery, this report provides something essential: clear, industry-grounded insight from the pharmacists and pharmacies doing the work every day.
Key Findings from the 2025–2026 Snapshot
Compounding and Drug Shortages
More than half of responding pharmacies reported compounding copies of FDA-approved drugs during active FDA-recognized drug shortages.
This data reinforces what patients and prescribers already know. When commercial supply falls short, compounded medications help sustain continuity of care. Compounding is not a theoretical backfill. It is a practical, patient-centered response to real supply disruptions.
Workforce Experience and Clinical Complexity
The Snapshot highlights the depth of professional expertise across the compounding sector. Respondents reported:
- An average of 19 years of compounding experience among pharmacists
- More than 12 years of experience among technicians
- Approximately 100 unique compounded formulations are prepared weekly
This is a highly experienced clinical workforce managing significant formulation complexity. That expertise is a defining feature of modern pharmacy compounding and an important part of the broader healthcare infrastructure.
503A Compounding Pharmacies at Scale
The median 503A compounding pharmacy reported dispensing approximately 350 compounded prescriptions per week and collaborating with roughly 150 prescribers.
While compounded prescriptions account for an estimated 1 to 3 percent of all U.S. prescriptions, that percentage represents substantial numbers of patients whose medical needs cannot be met by commercially available products. Scale matters. So does specialization.
Continued Investment Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
Despite regulatory uncertainty and shifting market dynamics, many pharmacies reported continued investment in staff, equipment, and facilities.
That investment reflects more than resilience. It reflects a sustained commitment to quality, compliance, and patient access, even as the policy landscape evolves.
A Data-Driven View of the Industry
APC’s Snapshot provides policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders with an evidence-based view of the current state of pharmacy compounding. As the national conversation around drug shortages, personalization, and supply chain resilience continues, informed policy must begin with accurate data. This report ensures that decisions about compounding are grounded in facts, not assumptions.
Pharmacy compounding is core healthcare for millions of patients whose needs cannot be met by commercially available products. APC will continue to provide the authoritative insight necessary to inform policy and safeguard patient access.
Download the Full Snapshot Report
The complete 2025–2026 Snapshot of Pharmacy Compounding in America includes expanded data, methodology, and additional analysis.
