By Sue Tuck Richmond 
As a former Appellate Chief/Assistant United States Attorney, I like to see what areas of law are developing and have potential issues. Over a year ago I ran across a case that caught my eye involving compounded medications and the death of 21 polo horses. At the same time, I was talking to a friend from college and had learned that he worked in the compounded medication world. The idea for this blog came to me one night after realizing this was a hot new area of law and there were no blogs that exclusively addressed the law of compounding. I also wanted to help my friend by providing a go-to source of knowledge for the compounding world.
I discussed my idea with no one. I didn't even know how to set up a blog, but taught myself. I loved learning how to create the blog. I found the area of law exciting and interesting. I felt it was going to be quickly developing in light of the Francks case. My second blog post-- right after the first explaining what compounding was--involved the Facts of the Francks Case. I soon learned it was being appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. I wrote a post explaining the appellate process, Franks case: Appellate Process Explained. I posted the documents--the briefs, the declarations, the record for the case. I soon learned of and discussed another case from Dallas--Apothecure and Gary Osborn, where the Department of Justice/United States Attorney's Office had brought criminal charges in a case involving the death of humans from bad compounding. I found more and more interesting story the more I researched and the more I talked to my friend who answered my questions.
The blog grew so rapidly at one point I thought I would need several assistants just to do the research, post and free me up to write. But instead I decide to forge ahead doing the research and writing as I had time and could. Nonetheless, experts and friends helped by pointing out topics, areas of interest, writing comments, posing questions, and helping search for solutions. I thank all those who continue to provide me with sources of information, answers, knowledge and encouragement.
Today the blog has over 3000 posts. It has almost 68000 views in less than a year. It is viewed by well over 80 countries. Above is a snapshot taken moments a go, of the countries viewing the blog as I write this post. Everyday I am still amazed at the work being done to help make compounding safer and to prevent future deaths of both humans and animals. Not all agree on the solution, but all should agree that these deaths are tragic. Something must be done. Something must change. Not all compounders are bad. There are good compounders who play by rules, but they are getting overlooked by the number of bad compounders who haven't played by the rules. I do believe that the more people who discuss and debate the issues, the better chance of a workable and effective remedy--whatever that remedy may end up being.
In any event, there are more post to write, more news to report, and more laws rules and regulations to analyze. Thank you for reading over the past year. May we find solutions that save lives during this next year.
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