Here are four tools to help you comply with USP <800>. 

• We recommend you view the Pharmacist's Letter course USP Chapter 800: Handling Hazardous Meds in the Healthcare Setting. CE is available for both Pharmacists and Technicians.  

Goals and Objectives

The goal of this activity is to help pharmacists and technicians develop a knowledge base to safely handle hazardous medications.

1. Discuss how to identify if a medication is hazardous. 
2. Describe the personal protective equipment requirements that must be followed when handling hazardous medications. 
3. Explain the equipment needed to maintain the appropriate environment when compounding hazardous medications. 
4. Identify how to properly store hazardous medications.
5. List the steps involved in handling areas contaminated with or suspected to be contaminated with hazardous medications.

• Increase your detailed knowledge by downloading the USP Chapter and reading it in its entirety. This chapter applies to all healthcare settings, not just compounding pharmacies. Understanding each section of the chapter is necessary to minimize your risk of exposure to hazardous drugs. 
  

• As discussed in Overview I, the NIOSH list identifies drugs that are hazardous or potentially hazardous. Review and download the list to see which items you handle in your pharmacy. This will help get you create your necessary operating procedures and risk assessment. A requirement of USP <800> is for each pharmacy to maintain their own list of the hazardous drugs they handle and review it annually.
  
  NOTE: As of January 21, 2020, five more drugs have been added to Table I of the NIOSH list of hazardous drugs. Review them HERE.  
  

• McKesson Drug Identification for Shipping 
  + McKesson distribution is helping you comply. Click HERE for communications regarding identifying HDs during the shipping process. 
  + Click HERE for McKesson's NIOSH Table 2 List of Non-Anitneoplastic Hazardous Drugs to be bagged separately. Please note this is not a complete list.