With millions of health care workers at risk of exposure to hazardous drugs each year, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapter <800> established new standards to minimize exposure to harmful materials in pharmacies. “Hazardous Drugs: Handling in Healthcare Settings” was published in February 2016 and provides the first enforceable standards concerning hazardous drugs and takes effect December 1, 2019. This deadline provides health care facilities with more than two years to evaluate their current quality
standards and comply with the new requirements. As the USP <800> date nears, many health care facilities are starting the evaluation and planning process to ensure their pharmacy department is compliant.