Observation and Question of the Day January 29, 2015 I hear from some readers that price or cost of compounded drugs does matter to them and how much compounders are pocketing as profit doesn't matter. They prefer a cheaper made compounded drug to a more expensive commercially available drug. While price is not suppose to be factor, it clearly has become a factor. So how many consumers of compounded drugs price shop their compounds?

In other words, do you call more than one compounding pharmacy to see who can make the compound the cheapest? Why wouldn't you especially if the stories are true about adding APIs to jack up the prices? Why wouldn't you when you learn that if the same compound is sold for office use to your doctor it is way cheaper than if it is sold directly to you? Why wouldn't you if you are having to pay for it yourself rather than your insurance paying for it?  What are the potential consequences to consumers and to compounders if we openly make price a factor and tell consumers to shop around for who can make the cheapest version of the compound? Will the compounders who do the proper procedures, test, etc. and have the lowest profit margins be driven out of the market by those who don't use proper procedures, don't test, don't follow the regulations etc.?  Isn't that happening right now?  Many advertise their price on the Internet so consumers can easily price shop now.  If we openly say price is a factor and that is okay, would it cause price wars that result in a level playing field?  Do a search on the Internet to see how many compounding pharmacies you can find that will make whatever compound you want?  Do a search to see how many advertise their price? As consumers we may not know however we aren't comparing apples to apples. We may not know that one company  follows the rules and regulations and test and one doesn't and that is why the price is different. And maybe consumers don't care too much about whether rules and regulations are followed anymore.  Maybe they don't care where the API/bulk powders come from (because my guess is you can make a cheaper compounded drug if you buy from less reputable sources of powders).  Maybe all consumers care about in 2015 is if the compounded drug works for them or at least they believe that it does and that the price is the lowest possible.