What is the purpose of segregating hazardous drug inventory from other drug inventory?

Segregating hazardous drug inventory from other drug inventory serves a critical function in maintaining safety in the pharmacy environment. By keeping these drugs separate, the risk of accidental exposure to staff is minimized. Hazardous drugs can pose a variety of health risks, including carcinogenic, teratogenic, and reproductive toxicity effects. Therefore, isolating them from non-hazardous drugs helps ensure that pharmacy personnel are not inadvertently exposed to these dangerous substances during routine handling or medication preparation tasks.

This practice is essential not only for protecting the health of pharmacy staff but also for reducing the likelihood of contamination of other drugs and supplies in the pharmacy. The segregation aligns with recommended safety protocols from health organizations and regulatory bodies, which emphasize safe handling and storage practices for hazardous medications.