Which action is permissible under FDA rules for prescription compounding by pharmacies?

Compounding for individual patients based on prescriptions is permissible under FDA rules because it adheres to the guidelines established in the Drug Quality and Security Act. This act allows pharmacies to prepare customized medications for patients when there is a specific prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, ensuring that the compounded medication meets the unique needs of the patient.

This practice is fundamental to pharmacy compounding, as it is designed to cater to those who may have allergies to certain ingredients, require a different dosage form, or have other specific health requirements that commercially available medications cannot fulfill. Tailoring medications in this manner not only enhances patient care but also maintains regulatory compliance by adhering to individual prescriptions rather than mass-producing drugs without oversight.

In contrast, advertising compounded services to the public, compounding without patient-specific prescriptions, and distributing compounded drugs nationwide do not align with FDA regulations, which focus on maintaining safety and efficacy while preventing misuse and potential public health risks. These options involve practices that either oversell compounding capabilities or extend beyond the confines of individualized patient care, which is not permitted in this regulated environment.