Economic Considerations and Cost-Saving Strategies for Sterile Compounding Education

To determine economic considerations associated with the facilitation of sterile compounding education for students in schools and colleges of pharmacy across the United States.

An online survey was sent to members of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Pharmaceutics Section and Laboratory Instructor's Special Interest Group. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on general information about the institution, student cohorts, compounding courses, types of compounds prepared, 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, 40 were completed. Reported annual sterile compounding budgets ranged from $500 to $95,500. Twenty-two percent of respondents reported collecting a lab fee from students to offset associated costs. Seventy percent of respondents specified cost-saving measures, including the use of expired drugs, reusing supplies or personal protective equipment, price comparisons, simulated drugs, and donations.

Findings from this study may assist pharmacy administrators and faculty in evaluating the costs associated with sterile compounding education and determining ways to reduce costs while maintaining the intent and quality of these courses.