Application of federal law to compounding of prescription orders.

A new federal law contains specific edicts as to the ability of pharmacists as well as physicians to engage in "anticipatory compounding" of prescription drug orders. It also establishes under what circumstances a pharmacists or physician may compound or mix a prescription drug that is a "near copy" of one already commercially available. This article discusses some of the principal features of that law, which will affect both the prescriber and the compounder and which becomes effective on November 22, 1998.