Hospital pharmacies have been operating under the aegis of USP General Chapters <795> (non-sterile compounding) and <797> (sterile compounding) for many years now and the nuances of these guides are well known. Also well known is the fact that no two pharmacies are the same, and in the years since the last revisions of these chapters (2008 for <795> and 2014 for <797>), some pharmacies have bristled at various requirements given their unique circumstances. As noted in this month’s cover story, while the tenets of these practice standards have certainly benefited patient care and outcomes, modernization is needed.

Real change is coming. Perhaps some have become a bit apathetic to the forthcoming updates to these chapters given the drawn-out time frame and multiple review steps, but this process is indicative of how involved you can be in forming best practices. USP wants your participation! Public comments to the USP’s compounding expert committee (CEC) are incorporated into guidance revisions and can be influential. Like most projects in health care, making your voice heard in the decision-making process is among the best ways to ensure your needs are met.

The proposed revisions are indeed not yet official, but the changes are largely expected, and now is the time to plan for, and be involved in what is coming. Personnel, equipment, budget, maintenance: these are all areas that need planning and consideration. PP&P will continue to devote significant coverage to these important developments, and we encourage you to share your success stories with us and with your colleagues.

All the best,

R. Mitchell Halvorsen

Publisher

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Register now to attend these upcoming FREE webinars from PP&P.

FDA Inspection Trends for 503B Compounders
Friday, January 28

Utilizing the largest independent database of FDA compounding activities and documents outside of the FDA itself, Lou Diorio, RPh, FAPhA, of LDT Health Solutions will lead this webinar, analyzing the long-term trends and current developments in FDA inspections of 503B compounders.

Meet USP <800> Requirements for CSTD Utilization
Friday, February 25

While most pharmacies have implemented CSTDs in the pharmacy, usage on the units is not as consistent, leaving facilities at risk for regulatory actions. In this webinar, Fred Massoomi, PharmD, BCSCP, FASHP, and Seth Eisenberg, RN, OCN, BMTCN, will review opportunities to ensure appropriate CSTD adoptions throughout the facility.

REGISTER TODAY at pppmag.com/webinars