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TOWARD SAFER PRACTICE
Are Compounding Pharmacies Safe?
Y
es, it's OK to place orders with a compounding pharmacy. It's incumbent
upon the pharmacy to use best prac-
tices. Not all compounding pharmacies are bad,
but now that everyone's on notice, changes are
inevitable. Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick
has announced 3 to start with:
• The state pharmacy board will "immediately
start" surprise inspections of compounding
pharmacies, to occur at least annually (more
frequently if there's a complaint) and carrying
heavier penalties for noncompliance.
• Compounding pharmacies in the state will
have to submit annual reports of production,
volume and distribution of medications.
• Pharmacies will also have to report any interactions with federal regulatory authorities.
Yes, it took a far-reaching catastrophe like this
to enact better oversight. But patient safety is
everyone's top priority, and these changes will
result in a better, safer compounding pharmacy
industry.
— William Landess, CRNA, MS, JD
N O V E M B E R 2012 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
