Utilizing the services of an outsourced compounder has become increasingly common in hospital pharmacy practice. According to Pharmacy Purchasing & Products’ 2018 State of Pharmacy Compounding survey, three-quarters of all facilities outsource at least some portion of their compounded preparations.1 In recent years, the severity and persistence of drug shortages has been one factor driving ... read more

Attaining compliance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapters is of great concern within the practice of sterile compounding, as the process can be quite daunting and also expensive. This is especially true in small and/or rural facilities. Sharon Hospital, located in a small, rural community in Connecticut, set out to upgrade the sterile processing area with the goal of attaining full compliance ... read more

The 340B drug pricing program plays a critical role in helping eligible facilities stretch resources to provide patients more comprehensive services. To ensure continued program eligibility, covered entities (CEs) participating in the program must recertify annually, prevent diversion of 340B drugs to ineligible patients, prohibit duplicate discounts, and prepare for audits.1 According to Pharmacy ... read more

With the December 1, 2019 deadline for USP <800> compliance rapidly approaching, health care workers in facilities across the country are laboring diligently to ensure compliance. Many entities are focusing their time and effort on facility renovations, policy and procedure (P&P) updates, and implementing practices that support the chapter’s goal of promoting safety by limiting occupational ... read more

While no pharmacy director looks forward to investigating possible drug diversion, it is a critical activity in the effort to ensure medication accountability and patient safety. A robust investigative process must include the ability to mine data from automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) and the electronic health record (EHR) in order to identify, remedy, and mitigate diversion. Concord Hospital ... read more