Compounded medications are not FDA approved. FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed.

Pharmacy verification

How we score pharmacy transparency

Our transparency assessment rewards disclosure a shopper can verify: whether the dispensing pharmacy is named, whether its license is verifiable, whet

Our transparency assessment rewards disclosure a shopper can verify: whether the dispensing pharmacy is named, whether its license is verifiable, whether ingredient identity and concentration are disclosed, whether a beyond-use date is provided, and whether pricing is complete and all-in. It's a disclosure measure, not a quality or safety guarantee.

What you need to know

A transparency score answers one question: how much of what matters can you actually verify before buying? It deliberately does not claim to measure clinical quality — no external score can do that — but disclosure is a strong proxy for a provider that has nothing to hide.

The inputs are concrete and checkable: is the pharmacy named and its license verifiable; is the ingredient (base vs salt form) and concentration disclosed; is a beyond-use date provided; and is pricing published all-in rather than as a fee-excluded headline. Each is a yes/no a shopper can confirm.

The honest limitation: a high transparency score means a provider discloses a lot, not that its product is safe or effective. Verification still rests with you and your clinician; this framework just tells you whether the provider gave you enough to verify.

What the transparency assessment measures
Transparency inputWhy it counts
Named dispensing pharmacyEnables license verification
Verifiable licenseConfirms a real, active pharmacy
Ingredient + concentration disclosedEnables safe dosing and identity checks
Beyond-use date providedBounds safe-use window
All-in pricing publishedPrevents fee-excluded surprises
A transparent provider discloses:
  • The dispensing pharmacy's name and verifiable license
  • The exact ingredient (base vs salt) and concentration
  • A beyond-use date on the label
  • Complete all-in pricing
  • Clear cancellation and refund terms

What the evidence shows

  • This guidance reflects FDA compounding information, USP standards, and state board of pharmacy resources.
  • Verification steps here are public and checkable.

What the evidence does not show

  • That following these steps makes a compounded product FDA-approved — it does not.
  • That this page replaces personalized medical or pharmacist advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does a transparency score measure?

How much a provider discloses that you can verify — pharmacy, license, ingredient, BUD, and all-in price. Not a safety guarantee.

Does high transparency mean it's safe?

No — it means you can verify more. Safety still needs a clinician and pharmacy checks.

Related: pharmacy verification hub · safety hub · cost calculator. Compounded medications are not FDA approved.

Not medical advice. This page is consumer education, not medical advice, and does not recommend a dose, product, or provider. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Talk with a licensed clinician about your situation.