Exclusive: Compounding giant Empower Pharmacy cuts hundreds of staff, stops New Jersey operations

Empower Pharmacy, a large U.S. compounding pharmacy, has laid off hundreds of employees and halted operations at its New Jersey manufacturing facility.2

The affected site is Empower’s outsourcing facility in East Windsor, New Jersey, which had been used for large‑scale drug compounding and manufacturing.32

These cuts represent a major workforce reduction for the company, eliminating a substantial portion of staff linked to the New Jersey operation.2

The shutdown follows prior *FDA scrutiny:*
a November 2024 FDA inspection of the East Windsor facility resulted in a Form 483 citing significant violations of drug manufacturing practices, including inadequate quality oversight, missing equipment qualifications, and incomplete sterility and stability testing.3

The inspection found that Empower’s quality unit had not properly reviewed or approved key standard operating procedures, and several critical laboratory controls and test methods were not scientifically validated.3

FDA inspectors also reported that required tests such as bacterial endotoxin testing and other stability and sterility assessments were not performed despite being listed in protocols.3

Empower Pharmacy is known for producing compounded GLP‑1 medications, an area that has previously drawn patient safety concerns from regulators and watchdog groups.3

Employee reviews in 2024–2025 describe ongoing layoffs, high turnover, chaotic management, and workplace instability at Empower’s broader operations, suggesting sustained internal restructuring and cost‑cutting pressures.4

Sources:

2. https://endpoints1752.rssing.com/chan-80475191/article5452.html

3. https://www.safemedicines.org/2025/07/empower-new-facility-inspection.html

4. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Empower-Pharmacy/reviews?ftext=it