Guidance Issued for Identifying Insanitary Conditions at Compounding Facilities
The FDA has issued draft guidance for compounders outlining insanitary conditions that put patients at risk for harm.
The FDA has issued draft guidance for compounders outlining insanitary conditions that put patients at risk for harm.
Under section 503(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, any drug—including a compounded one—that’s prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions is considered adulterated. Notably, contaminated drug products produced by compounding facilities have caused numerous infections and deaths, including the
To assist compounding facilities with identifying insanitary conditions and taking appropriate corrective actions, the FDA recently provided some examples of what it considers insanity conditions in a draft guidance document called “Insanitary Conditions and Compounding Facilities.” Among those examples are dog beds and dog hairs in close proximity to a sterile compounding room, as well as dead insects in ceilings.
The draft guidance also describes procedures that will assist compounders in identifying insanitary conditions, plus actions that compounders should take if insanitary conditions are identified. In addition to assisting compounding facilities, the FDA’s draft guidance is intended to help guide state regulatory agencies that are often responsible for verifying the cleanliness of local compounding facilities.
Importantly, the FDA specified that the document doesn’t establish legally enforceable responsibilities.
Comments and suggestions for this draft guidance can be submitted through early October 2016.
Newsletter
Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.
Related Articles
- Effectively Managing Immunizations in the Long-Term Care Setting
September 18th 2025
- Creating a Culture of Quality in Fast-Melt Tablet Development
September 18th 2025
- Advise Patients About Self-Care Measures to Treat Mild to Moderate GI Issues
September 18th 2025