Economic Considerations and Cost-Saving Strategies for Nonsterile Compounding Education

To determine the economic considerations, including cost-saving strategies, associated with nonsterile compounding education for students in schools and colleges of pharmacy across the United States.

An electronic survey was sent to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Pharmaceutics Section and Laboratory Instructor's Special Interest Group members. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected about the institution, student cohorts, compounding courses, equipment, budgets, personnel, and cost-saving measures. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS. Open-ended responses were used by respondents if the primary question could not adequately capture their institution-specific information. These answers were added to the study findings.

Of 555 surveys sent, 46 were completed. Reported annual compounding budgets ranged from $3000 to $96,000. Reported annual equipment maintenance costs ranged from $400 to $18,000. Fifty percent of respondents reported students shared equipment, and 29.6% collected a lab fee from students to offset costs. Approximately half of respondents reported the use of cost-saving measures, including contract pricing, purchasing supplies in bulk, price comparisons, use of simulated drugs, re-use of personal protective equipment, and procurement of donations. Fifty percent of respondents employed laboratory assistants to support nonsterile compounding sessions, with paid positions ranging from $200 to $1000 per semester.

Findings from this study may assist pharmacy administrators and course directors in evaluating the costs associated with nonsterile compounding education across the Academy and, more importantly, determining ways to reduce such costs while maintaining the intent and quality of these courses.