What is compounding?
Compounding is the process of combining or altering ingredients to create a medication
What are some unique characteristics about compounded drugs?
A traditional compounded drug is prepared by a pharmacist for an individual patient based on a prescription. Compounded drugs meet unique needs and are not FDA-approved. The dose or formulation cannot be commercially available as a manufactured product
What are the different types of compounding and how can they be divided?
Compounded drugs are either non-sterile or sterile. Both non-sterile and sterile compounded drugs can be further subdivided into non-hazardous and hazardous.
What determines if a drug is non-sterile or sterile?
The formulation of the compounded drug determines if it is non-sterile or sterile; the drug being used determines if the compound is deemed hazardous
What is the US Pharmacopeia (USP)?
The US Pharmacopeia (USP) sets the standards for compounding preparations
What are the USP chapters related to compounding?
USP 795 (non-sterile compounding), USP 797 (sterile compounding), USP 800 (handling hazardous drugs)
*USP 795, 797 and 800 are considered to be minimum acceptable standards for compounding by the FDA, the state boards of pharmacy and the Joint Commission
Which organization do hospital pharmacists rely on for detailed guidance on implementing USP standards?
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
What is non-sterile compounding primary used for?
Non-sterile compounding is primarily used to prepare a dose or formulation that is not commercially available (e.g. changing a tablet to a liquid, compounding a 10% ointment only available in 5% and 15%), avoid an excipient, add a flavor
What do non-sterile preparations include?
Non-sterile preparations include those administered by mouth, via tube, rectally, vaginally, topically, nasally or in the ear
How does USP 795 divide non-sterile compounding?
USP 795 divides non-sterile compounding into three categories based on complexity: simple, moderate, complex
What is the definition of simple non-sterile compounding?
Requires (simply) following instructions (e.g. following a USP monograph)
What is the definition of moderate non-sterile compounding?
Involves specialized calculations or procedures, or making a preparation that has no established stability data
What is the definition of complex non-sterile compounding?
Requires specialized training, equipment, facilities, or procedures
Describe the physical space basics of the non-sterile compounding space.
What are the two types of water needed available for non-sterile compounding?
1) Portable (drinkable, such as from the tap), for hand and equipment washing
2) Purified (e.g. distilled), for use in water-containing formulations, and for rinsing equipment and utensils
How must sterile compounding be carried out?
Sterile compounding must be carried out using strict procedures to keep products free from contamination. Drugs injected into the blood or administered into certain other body sites must be free of microorganisms and contaminants
What is sterile compounding used to prepare for?
Intravenous (IV) drugs, intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC, SQ) drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, eye drops, irrigations, pulmonary inhalations
What is the meaning of BSC?
Biological safety cabinet: chemo hood, a type of C-PEC
What is the meaning of CACI?
Compounding aseptic containment isolator: “glovebox” for HDs, a type of closed-front C-PEC
What is the meaning of CAI?
Compounding aseptic isolator: “glovebox” for non-HDs, a closed-front sterile hood (PEC)
What is the meaning of C-PEC?
Containment primary engineering control: ventilated (negative pressure) chemo hood used for HDs
What is the meaning of C-SCA?
Containment segregated compounding area: ventilated (negative pressure) room used for HDs; not in a cleanroom suit (air is not ISO-rated)
What is the meaning of C-SEC?
Containment secondary engineering control: ventilated (negative pressure) buffer room for HDs (room where the C-PEC is located)
What is the meaning of CSPs?
Compounded sterile products: IVs or other drugs that require sterile manipulation