1. Aseptic Preparation and Safe Handling Flashcards
Name 2 pharmaceutical products that require sterile production or to be sterile before use.
- Chemotherapy drugs and antibody preparations
- Total parenteral nutrition
- Intravenous additives
- Eye products
- Drugs used in clinical trials
- Some medicated dressings
What contaminants can present in non-sterile pharmaceutical products?
- Microorganisms (fungi and bacteria)
- Particulate matter (skin, hair, fibre, condensate)
- Pyrogens (endotoxin produced from G-ve bacteria)
Why are sterile pharmaceutical products more susceptible to contamination ?
Due to their nature and route of administration
What could happen to patients if they are administration with contaminated pharmaceutical products and why ?
Can lead to harm or death due to the ingress of micro-organisms, particulate matter or pyrogens
When can contamination of sterile pharmaceutical products occur?
Preparation and administration
Who can carry out manufacturing and give an example ?
Carried out by any suitable trained person.
e.g. trained assistance does not have to be a qualified or registered pharmacist
Who can carry out dispensing and give an example?
Carried out under supervision of a pharmacist. however in practice pharmacy technicians will prepare products under supervision
What is the recommended expiration date for manufactured products ?
MHRA licence allows extended expiry dates provided that theyre supported by stability data.
What are the benefits of basing expiry dates on stability of products ?
Longer shelf life and less waste
what is the recommended expiration date for dispensing products ?
7 days maximum which allows for stability
In what cases should dispensing product be prepared?
Single products
Dispensed under a prescription of a named person
Can small batched of products be dispensed ?
Yes but a maximum of 10 items can be infrequently prepared in anticipation of a prescription.
What conditions should be met when preparing a small batch of dispensing products ?
Limited shelf life
Full dispensing requirements eg label for named patients when dispensed
For manufacturing products can final checks and release of batch be done by the same person?
No, must be done by separate people
For dispensing products can final check and release be done by the same person?
Yes, can be done by the same person
Who can release final products in manufacturing ?
registered and recognised degree-qualified person
What is the pharmaceutical quality system (PQS)
Overall system of quality management designed to provide assurance of product quality as a result of the systems and processes in place
How are sterile environments maintained by airflow?
Air flow and pressure from highest to lowest, creating a positive pressure drop (10-15 Pa) to carry contaminates away from cleanest to dirtiest environments
What is the value of positive pressure drop?
10-15 Pa
What is the aim for a complete air change ?
20-30 complete air changes per hour
What does grade A clean zone contain ?
Laminar air flow cabinets and isolators. All aseptic manipulations carried out in critical zone grade A
What does grade B clean zone contain?
The aseptic preparation room
What does grade C clean zone contain ?
Change areas or inner support room
What does grade D clean zone contain?
Outer support room (grade A isolators be installed in grade C or D rooms)
what does the validation master plan include ?
All documentations and testing of design qualification, installation qualification, operational qualification and performance qualification
What is the definition of ANTT?
Aseptic non touch technique used to avoid any contamination with nay surface which will be in contact with the sterile fluid patch
Where is ANTT used ?
Used in near patient (wards, patient homes) and aseptic environments (aseptic units, operating theatres)
What is closed procedures defined as ?
Transfer of sterile ingredients or solution to a sterilised sealed container, either directly or using a sterile transfer device without exposing the solution to the external environment
In what zone should a closed procedure be carried out in
Grade A environment
What is sterility defined as ?
The absolute freedom from all viable forms of life (essentially microorganisms)
What is sterilisation defined as ?
The process of producing a condition of sterility
What is sterility defined as ?
The absence of viable contamination microorganisms
What do many products require before administration to patients ?
Requires to be both sterile and free from contaminates
What are the three main groups that contaminates are categorised in ? Give an example of each.
- Living- micro-organisms e.g bacteria and fungi
- Inert particulate matter- eg glass, rubber or dust
- Pyrogens- eg Lipopolysaccharide (from the outer membrane of gram-be bacteria )
What could result in the administration of pharmaceutical products that contain microorganisms ?
Cause harm or death to the patient
What effects could the administration of pharmaceutical products that contain particulate matter have on a patient ?
- Inflammation of blood vessels (phlebitis)
- Physical occlusion/blockage of blood vessels which could lead to thrombosis/embolism