A licensed compounding pharmacy custom-makes a medication for you. It's a niche route — most standard drugs are cheaper as ordinary generics — but it can help, and sometimes save money, in specific situations:
Important. Compounded drugs are not FDA‑approved and are not tested for bioequivalence — potency and quality can vary between pharmacies. Use a reputable, accredited one (look for PCAB accreditation; 503A pharmacies make individual prescriptions, 503B outsourcing facilities meet higher manufacturing standards). You need a prescriber and a legitimate clinical reason, and insurance often won't cover it. Some heavily‑marketed compounded drugs (e.g. certain weight‑loss injections sold during shortages) become tightly restricted once the FDA shortage ends — verify what's currently legal and available.