roxy_nash said:

The trade-off is reversibility against privacy and there is no option that gives you both.

Agreed, and one detail people underrate: an irreversible payment removes your only leverage in a dispute, so it should be the last step rather than the first.

nancy_portland said:

Agreed, and the enforcement dates were staggered by category — 503A first, 503B a few weeks later — because outsourcing facilities have manufactured…

This answered a question I did not know how to ask. Sending this to two other people who asked me the same thing last week.

roxy_nash said:

The trade-off is reversibility against privacy and there is no option that gives you both.

503A vs 503B compounding pharmacies for compounded supply — this distinction matters enormously:

I strongly recommend 503B facilities. The FDA oversight and cGMP requirements mean more consistent product quality.

wanda_boise said:

My pharmacy stopped supplying with three weeks notice and a letter that explained nothing, so I went and read the statute.

Compounding pharmacy licensing verification for compounded supply: before ordering, verify your pharmacy's credentials:

1. State Board of Pharmacy license — check on your state BOP website
2. FDA registration (for 503B) — check on fda.gov
3. DEA registration if handling controlled substances
4. PCAB accreditation — voluntary but demonstrates commitment to quality
5. USP <797>/<800> compliance for sterile compounding

This takes 10 minutes of research and could save you from receiving substandard or unsafe medication.

Moderator note: the sourcing question belongs in the vendor section and has been split out. Thread quality here is what the rules are for. Keep it up.