Question:
Has the USP published the general chapter on hazardous drugs?
Answer:
Yes, The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has published a new standard as part of a suite of healthcare quality standards included in the United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP–NF).
The new general chapter, <800> Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings, has been developed to help protect personnel and patients, and reduce the risk of residual exposure in healthcare settings. The standard applies to all healthcare personnel (i.e., physicians, nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and technicians) and all healthcare facilities where hazardous drugs are handled or manipulated, including their storage and distribution — with a goal of preventing and/or limiting exposure.
The new standard defines processes intended to minimize exposure to hazardous drugs in healthcare settings, thereby protecting healthcare workers as well as patients.
The USP Compounding Expert Committee recognized that it may take healthcare facilities additional time to comply with the new standard and therefore approved an extended official implementation date of July 1, 2018. With the extended date, healthcare facilities have more than two years to conform to the new requirements.
USP, Frequently Asked Questions: <800> Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings
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