CEO Magazine Features Empower’s Shaun Noorian

Founded by CEO Shaun Noorian, Empower Pharmacy has become the largest compounding pharmacy in the United States, transforming the industry by integrating advanced technology and scientific expertise to provide affordable, customized medications on a large scale.

Resurgence of Compounding Pharmacies

Historically, compounding pharmacies, which create bespoke medications tailored to individual patient needs, were prevalent, making up three-quarters of all prescriptions in the U.S. However, with the industrialization of the pharmaceutical industry, this personalized approach diminished, and today, compounded prescriptions account for only about two percent of all prescriptions.

In recent decades, compounding pharmacies have seen a resurgence, with Empower Pharmacy at the forefront. By leveraging technology and scientific expertise, they deliver affordable, customized drugs at scale, revolutionizing patient care for millions of Americans.

A Personal Journey

For Noorian, the passion for making personalized drugs accessible stems from his own healthcare journey. At 24, he was treated with compounded medication for low testosterone, which significantly improved his quality of life. This experience inspired him to transition from a career in mechanical engineering to the world of compounded medicine, using his engineering background to enhance manufacturing excellence and quality control.

“When I got that treatment, it completely changed my life,” he recalls. “I gained 15 pounds of muscle without having to work out. I normalized my testosterone levels, which caused me to also improve my libido, my stamina, my endurance, my motivation – all these things that I had been lacking my entire life.”

Innovation & the Future

Innovation and investment in state-of-the-art equipment and processes have been fundamental to Empower’s growth. By utilizing manufacturing technologies typically seen in larger facilities, we have scaled up to provide high-quality, affordable medicine to patients. Our technology investments have also streamlined processes, creating a seamless experience for customers and healthcare providers.

“We leverage technology automation traditionally seen in big pharma to produce customized medications at scale,” Noorian explains. “Our scalable infrastructure allows us to keep up with the exponential demand for our services, fueled further by the consumerization of healthcare since the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Empower Pharmacy’s technology-led transformation has allowed us to integrate the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, creating a cost-effective relationship with our customers. By not accepting insurance, “we have eliminated middlemen, ensuring direct value for patients. Detailing the plans for the company over the next two years,” Noorian says it will focus on expanding product offerings in the functional medicine space; enhancing manufacturing capabilities and increasing distribution reach; leveraging technology to optimize its supply chain; and ensuring high-quality medicines.

This is what he reveals is the real secret to the success of Empower: creating an intimate, cost-effective relationship with its customers.

“In the next 20 years, we see Empower as part of the new pharmaceutical supply chain in the U.S.,” Noorian says. Our plans include expanding product offerings, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, increasing distribution reach, and investing in research and development to drive innovation in personalized medicine.”

Detailing the plans for the company over the next two years, Noorian says “It will focus on expanding product offerings in the functional medicine space; enhancing manufacturing capabilities and increasing distribution reach; leveraging technology to optimize its supply chain; and ensuring high-quality medicines. “Additionally, we’re committed to forging strategic partnerships that align with our mission and vision, as well as investing in research and development to drive innovation in personalized medicine,” he adds.

Empower’s success is also attributed to their supportive leadership style, where open dialogues and diverse perspectives foster innovation. “We prioritize continuous learning and self-improvement, ensuring our team remains adaptable and forward-thinking in this dynamic industry.”