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Abstract:  Total patient care necessitates the use of hazardous drugs in the compounding of preparations. With approximately 5.5 million U.S. healthcare workers potentially being exposed to hazardous drugs, the importance and necessity of a pharmacy establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures pertaining to the handling of hazardous drugs cannot be minimized. This article defines hazardous drugs, discusses many of the factors that impact worker exposure, identifies many of the sources of exposure, identifies the four general goals for handling hazardous drugs, discusses the proper handling and disposal of hazardous drug waste materials, and provides a checklist that can be used by a pharmacy to establish protocols for a hazardous drug program.

Related Keywords: Claudia C. Okeke, PhD, RPh, United States Pharmacopeia, Chapter <797>, sterile preparations, hazardous drug compounding, USP, pharmacy worker exposure, occupational safety, Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh, hazardous drug waste disposal, employees, compliance checklist

Related Categories: LEGAL, STERILE PREPARATIONS, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA CONVENTIONS, PROFESSIONAL ISSUES, HAZARDOUS DRUGS

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