PHARMACY EXPERTISE IN STERILE COMPOUNDING

To support colleges of pharmacy in providing sterile compounding and aseptic technique instruction in didactic and experiential curricula that reflect the needs of the workforce; further,

To promote the use of sterile compounding training programs to foster an increase in the number of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with sterile compounding expertise; further,

To advocate that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work in sterile compounding attain compounded sterile preparations advanced certifications. 

Rationale

ASHP distinguishes between two needs related to pharmacy expertise in sterile compounding: a need for new pharmacy graduates to possess baseline training and knowledge of sterile

compounding, and the need for pharmacists with an advanced body of knowledge on sterile compounding, especially in pharmacy departments where complex compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) are compounded.

Although there is a clear need for students to have a basic understanding of sterile compounding upon graduation, education in colleges of pharmacy on sterile compounding varies. Sterile compounding and aseptic technique instruction are important areas of pharmacy practice to incorporate in the didactic curriculum and during experiential education.

The complexity of intravenous therapy, the risk of errors or patient harm, and new biologic therapies all demand a higher level of expertise in sterile compounding in the pharmacy, however. United States Pharmacopeia Chapter 797 and other efforts have increased the focus on the quality of CSP compounding and have prompted organizations to improve staff training, facilities, and procedures. In such an environment, there is a clear need for pharmacists whose education, training, and experience in sterile compounding provide expertise rather than baseline knowledge. To demonstrate competency, pharmacy technicians should attain PTCB’s advanced Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) certification, and pharmacists, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy (BCSCP) certification.