When addressing drug security, a discrepancy is any situation in which the quantity of drug present in a particular location is not the quantity expected. Before the widespread use of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), the discovery of discrepancies was often the primary means by which diversion could be identified, and diverters were emboldened by the fact that a discrepancy could be attributed ... read more

A hazardous drug (HD) spill presents one of the highest risks for exposure to the individual handling the medication, other staff in the area, the hospital environment, and patients. USP General Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings highlights the critical nature of proper HD spill management, mentioning variations of the term spill 50 times therein (see SIDEBAR ... read more

The effort to manage medication waste in an environmentally responsible manner, while also reducing the risk of diversion, can pose significant challenges for pharmacy. In addition to complying with RCRA regulations, DOT has specific transport requirements and state regulations are being revised at a rapid rate. Staying abreast of evolving regulations and disposal options requires an ongoing, dedicated ... read more

Few facilities profess a willingness to continue to rely on manual tracking of their medication storage temperatures. Given accreditors’ expectations of regular, consistent documentation as well as proof of response to any temperature excursions, it only makes sense to automate temperature monitoring. In fact, 84% of facilities have already switched to an automated tracking solution. Among ... read more

PP&P’s annual survey on compounding practice details improving compliance rates, notable technology adoptions, and evolving practices both in pharmacy and beyond. While compliance to compounding regulations falls within the purview of pharmacy, it is clear these efforts cannot exist within a vacuum. Rather, pharmacy must work collaboratively with other departments to ensure the safety of ... read more