The pharmaceutical industry is an ever-evolving one due to a variety of factors. As such, several new changes are on the horizon as it pertains to the handling of hazardous drugs and compounded medications. At Innovative RX in Kearny, NE we pride ourselves on setting the bar well above industry standard. Safety and quality are of the utmost importance to us and we are happy to announce that although these guidelines will now be an industry-wide requirement, we have been implementing them since we opened our doors in 2019. 

What are the changes for pharmacies?

We’d like to share these upcoming guideline changes with you as an effort to keep a transparent line of communication open between us and you, our valued clients. 

1. Compounding hazardous medications or hormones must be done in a negative pressure room so as to keep all circulating hazardous particles within such space. 
2. The hazardous compounding room must be physically separated, in another room, from other preparation areas.
3. All surfaces within the room including the ceiling must be smooth, wipeable, and made of non-shedding materials. 
4. Individuals compounding the medications must wear different personal protective equipment to avoid exposure or contamination. This includes gowns, hair covers, shoe covers, and specific gloves. 
5. Specific cleaning products must be used in order to successfully deactivate and remove all hazardous particles on surfaces in between compounding different products.
6. The compounding, handling, or packaging of these commonly known medications fall within the new best practice parameters:
7. All hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
8. Tretinoin
9. Spironolactone
10. Finasteride
11. Fluconazole
12. Minoxidil
13. Methimazole
14. Clonazepam
15. Zonisamide

For compounding medications that are not considered hazardous, there are still expectations that must be met in order to provide best practices, and Innovative RX meets or exceeds all such standards.

1. The designated space for compounding must be appropriate for such activity

• • No carpet
  • Wipeable surfaces with the appropriate cleaners
  • Temperature monitoring of all places where medications are stored. 
  • Appropriate water is used when needed for compounding (don’t just go to the sink and get some tap water!)
  • Appropriate cleaning and maintenance of all compounding equipment

As a result of these changes, many pharmacies will have to significantly alter their current operations or even remodel their pharmacies to meet the new standards. As for Innovative Rx, we are exceedingly proud to say that it will be business as usual, meeting the compounding, pharmaceutical, and supplement needs of our community. 

What do these changes mean to me?

In layman’s terms, the changes being implemented are to eliminate any risk that trace amounts of hazardous drugs could end up in other, non-hazardous products and medications. These additional steps are steps that have always been prioritized at Innovative Rx thanks to our commitment to quality, safety, and care. Additionally, these standards also ensure the safest environment for pharmaceutical staff in compounding pharmacies. 

If you have any questions about the upcoming changes or are looking for a provider for your compounded medication needs, please contact us and schedule a consultation. We look forward to working with you!