| What it is | State-licensed compounding pharmacy | FDA-registered outsourcing facility | Chemical sold "for research only" |
| Prescription | Required, from a credentialed provider for a named patient | Not needed for office use | None; not intended for people |
| Who receives it | The patient, shipped to them or your clinic | Credentialed clinics, for in-office administration | Laboratories and researchers |
| Oversight | State boards of pharmacy, plus federal rules | FDA inspections | No pharmacy oversight |
| Quality standard | USP <795>/<797>, third-party tested, batch-specific COAs | cGMP, third-party tested, batch-specific COAs | Varies by supplier; not pharmacy-regulated |
| Ingredients | Approved-drug components or bulks-list substances | 503B bulks list or FDA-approved drugs | Not limited to pharmacy lists |
| Use in patients | Legal with a valid prescription | Legal for office use | Labeled "not for human use" |