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FDA 503a

Meaning

FDA 503a refers to a section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that outlines the specific conditions under which a traditional, state-licensed compounding pharmacy may legally compound drugs, including bioidentical hormones, for individual patients. These pharmacies operate based on patient-specific prescriptions, are primarily regulated by state boards of pharmacy, and are prohibited from engaging in large-scale, anticipatory compounding or distributing compounded drugs across state lines without specific patient need. This regulatory framework aims to ensure that compounded medications serve individual patient needs rather than commercial market demand, maintaining a balance between personalized medicine and public safety.