Extemporaneous compounding: a return to regulatory limbo?

Extemporaneous compounding of medications has been an integral component of the practice of pharmacy and medicine since the practices began. A staple of early medical and pharmacy practice, even today many patients benefit from compounding at some point in their care. Unfortunately, the regulation of the practice has not been so consistent. With a recent decision by the US Supreme Court, compounding regulation is again uncertain. This commentary reviews compounding practice, the history of compounding regulation, and discusses the current regulatory status of the practice.