Dispensing, checking, preparation of extemporaneous preparations are some of the most basic tasks pharmacists spend a lot of time to be trained to do accurately and which most of us undertake every day. Some of these tasks can be delegated to appropriately trained dispensary technicians.
The Victorian Board of Pharmacy has published Guidelines for good Pharmacy Practice 2010 (135). It is their interpretation of the Victorian legislation to ensure a consistently high level of pharmacy practice. On some topics they are quite particular.
bench or bench area of at least 0.6 m2 located near to the sink for the compounding or preparation of medicines that provides storage for compounding equipment
Unfortunately for some a close reading of the guidelines may be required followed by remedial action.
GSK has recently sent out a “Dear Pharmacist” letter advising in part:
Please be advised that incorrect storage and usage of the foil lid cutting device may result in foreign objects (such as staples, paper or fluff) becoming lodged in the device cutting “teeth”. This can result in the ingress of foreign contamination into the suspension bottle during the foil lid removal process
It goes on to say to store the device in a clean area and checking it before use. I wonder how many complaints they received about contamination before they went to the expense of the letter. As a pharmacist I am pretty embarrassed that one had to be sent at all.
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