Be Wary of Compounding Pharmacy Practice

The Arkansas Medical Society has been notified of a questionable practice by an out-of-state compounding pharmacy, Global Compounding Pharmacy in Alabama.  AMS has been told that the pharmacy is sending one or more reps around to local clinics with “pre-printed” scripts for topical pain and scarring medications. According to one AMS member, once the initial prescription was filled, the company began “auto-shipping” large quantities of refills to the patients without a refill request. Over a 3-month period, the physician’s patients (2 family members) ended up with $186,000 in prescription charges billed to their health plan.

The Arkansas Pharmacy Association has opened an investigation and a report has been filed with the Arkansas Attorney General. According to our source, neither the physician nor the pharmacy rep knew (a) the cost of the drugs, or (b) that the prescriptions would begin being auto-shipped.