02/11/2026
PCAB accredited: What it means and why it matters to your prescription.
PCAB accreditation is the gold standard for compounding pharmacy quality. It’s voluntary, rigorous, and rare—only about 68 pharmacies in the entire United States have earned it.
If you’re going to use compounded medications, understanding PCAB accreditation could be the difference between getting a quality product and taking a significant risk.
It was created in 2007 by eight different pharmacy organizations to establish quality standards for compounding pharmacies. They recognized that compounding quality varies dramatically across the industry—and patients deserved a way to identify pharmacies that meet the highest standards.
With 7,500+ compounding pharmacies in the U.S., why do only ~68 have PCAB accreditation? Several reasons:
1. It’s Voluntary
Unlike state licensure, PCAB accreditation is optional. Pharmacies can legally operate without it.
2. It’s Expensive
The costs of meeting PCAB standards are significant:
Facility upgrades (cleanrooms, air handling)
Equipment purchases and calibration
Staff training and certification
Third-party testing
Accreditation fees
3. It’s Rigorous
Many pharmacies simply can’t meet the standards. PCAB requirements go well beyond minimum state requirements.
4. It Takes Time
Preparing for PCAB accreditation often takes 1-2+ years of work.
When you get compounded medication from a PCAB-accredited pharmacy, you can expect:
✓ Proper sterile technique for injectable medications
✓ Accurate potency—the dose on the label matches what’s in the vial
✓ Appropriate beyond-use dating based on stability data
✓ Proper storage & shipping conditions
✓ Trained personnel following validated procedures
✓ Quality control testing on compounded products
✓ Documentation & traceability
