anders_CPH said:

Beyond-use dating (BUD) for compounded supply compounded products: Lyophilized (unreconstituted): typically 6 months from compounding date…

That reframing is the part I needed. Adding it to my notes with a link back to this thread.

From the other side of the consultation, briefly.

Vendor communication red flags for compounded supply:

• Won't provide COA before purchase — walk away
• Claims "100% pure" without analytical data — unrealistic
• No physical address or phone number — accountability matters
• Pushes you to buy more than you need — pressure tactics
• Won't answer questions about their compounding process — transparency is key
• Payment only via crypto or wire transfer — legitimate pharmacies accept cards

A legitimate compounding pharmacy operates like a healthcare business, not a gray market dealer.

EndoResFellow said:

Vendor communication red flags for compounded supply: Won't provide COA before purchase — walk away Claims "100% pure" without analytical data —…

This is my experience too, for whatever a second data point is worth.

EndoResFellow said:

Vendor communication red flags for compounded supply: Won't provide COA before purchase — walk away Claims "100% pure" without analytical data —…

Compounding pharmacy customer here with experience relevant to compounded supply.

I've ordered from 3 different compounding pharmacies over the past year. The quality variation is real — purity ranged from 94% to 101% of label claim based on independent Janoshik testing.

My current compounder (a 503B facility) has been consistently 98-101% purity across 6 orders. I pay $154/month vs $1,364 for brand. The savings are substantial and the product is equivalent in my experience.

Re: compounded supply — this applies whether you're using brand or compounded. The clinical principles are the same.

EndoResFellow said:

Vendor communication red flags for compounded supply: Won't provide COA before purchase — walk away Claims "100% pure" without analytical data —…

Compounding pharmacy response time test for compounded supply: I email customer service at odd hours to test responsiveness. A pharmacy that can't answer questions promptly is a red flag.

My current pharmacy: average response time 1 hour. They answered my questions about batch-specific COAs thoroughly and professionally.

Communication quality is a proxy for operational quality. A pharmacy that communicates well is likely manufacturing well too.