U.S. Pharmacopeial Chapter <800>: Be Ready to Comply by July 2018

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention’s “Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings” is a new part of the National Formulary that describes standards—expectations for practice—for all aspects of handling and administering hazardous drugs (HDs). Some of the standards will require changes in policies, procedures, and practices for nurses. This article provides an overview of the new standards and the impact they will have on nurses who prepare and administer chemotherapy and other HDs.

AT A GLANCE

• New standards for the safe handling of antineoplastic drugs and other hazardous medications were published by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention in 2016. These standards are enforceable by state boards of pharmacy and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• The standards address every aspect of hazardous drug handling, including receipt, storage, preparation, administration, and disposal.
• The standards must be fully implemented by July 1, 2018, in all healthcare settings in which hazardous drugs are present, so nurses must be knowledgeable about those that directly influence their practice.