SOLVING THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE

Learn how three health systems enhanced their recruiting, retention and career advancement efforts to tackle the industry’s ongoing shortage. It’s no secret that healthcare systems across the nation have struggled with a shortage of pharmacy technicians in recent years. But how is the industry responding to this critical challenge? Visante interviewed pharmacy leaders from three […]

Packaging Matters

Contributor: Julia West, PharmD, BCPS, MBADirector of Inpatient Pharmacy, Greater Baltimore Medical Center In today’s fast-paced world of new pharmaceutical products and evolving patient care needs, supply chain challenges, and medication shortages, the ability to balance the above components is often a key to survival for any pharmacy dispensing business or production environment. Inpatient, outpatient […]

How to Identify and Dispose of Hazardous Pharmaceuticals and Controlled Substances

Knowing which drugs need to be disposed of in hazardous waste containers is vital. Compliance with federal and state regulations reduces the potential for fines and penalties while at the same time increasing safety. Proper management, protocols, and in-house processes for any facility that handles or receives hazardous drugs also protects human health and the […]

Preparing for USP Microbiology – Related Changes

Contributor: Abby RothFounder, Pure Microbiology The buzz surrounding the release of USP General Chapter <797> on November 1, 2022, is undeniable, as it should be. We have seen four different possible iterations of the chapter since 2015. This highly anticipated release brings significant changes to sterile compounding operations and facility design, all with the intention […]

Understanding Drug Denaturing and Non-Retrievable Strategies

Expired or unwanted pharmaceutical drugs and unused prescription opioids must be rendered harmless before disposal in order to prevent potential theft or misuse of a drug through inadvertent exposure to children or others. Such practice can also reduce incidents of drug diversion, as well as to prevent those drugs from entering into and damaging groundwater […]

The Significance of Refrigeration in Maintaining Vaccine Storage

Introduction  It’s no secret that vaccines are incredibly important, but they’re also sensitive to even the slightest environmental changes. Therefore, the success of a vaccination program rests on how vaccines are stored and handled. That’s why the role of refrigeration in maintaining the quality of vaccines can’t be ignored. A vaccine storage refrigerator is the […]

How do you avoid Drug Diversion?

Reducing the risk of drug diversion in your facility requires not just knowledge of the problem, but the right tools and procedures that contribute to a safer drug disposal program in your facility. According to the US Department of Justice National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), costs of drug diversion incidents affecting not only private medical […]

Environmental Impact of Drugs in Waterways

The environmental impact of drugs on waterways is not to be underestimated, even with enhanced regulations from federal and state governments. Improper disposal practices of pharmaceutical wastes containing contaminants, drug byproducts, and pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) continue to wreak havoc on aquatic environments around the world. What types of drugs are making their way into […]

How to Read a Balance Sheet for an Independent Pharmacy

Have your eye on acquiring a specific independent pharmacy? You’ll want to take a look at their financial statements – including the balance sheet – before making a commitment. Learn more from First Financial Bank on how to evaluate the financial health of a business by looking at the balance sheet. Read more >

Why Stopping Drug Diversion Matters

Drug diversion is a serious issue in hospital environments throughout the U.S. and in other countries around the world. The issue not only affects healthcare professionals involved in drug diversion activities, but puts patients at risk as well. Identifying and preventing drug diversion is filled with challenges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […]