Pharmacy Law Practice Exam

What should be done immediately after unpackaging hazardous drugs?

1. They should be mixed with non-HD medications

2. They should be placed back into their original packaging

3. They should be separated from other medications

4. They should be stored in a common area for easy access

The correct answer is: They should be separated from other medications

After unpackaging hazardous drugs, it is essential to separate them from other medications. This practice is critical for ensuring safety in the pharmacy or healthcare environment. Hazardous drugs pose a risk of exposure to personnel and require specific handling and disposal procedures to prevent contamination and ensure compliance with regulations. By keeping these drugs separate, the likelihood of cross-contamination or accidental exposure to non-hazardous medications is significantly reduced. Separating hazardous drugs also aligns with guidelines from various regulatory agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which outline safe handling procedures for these substances. This practice helps in facilitating proper storage, minimizing health risks for pharmacy staff, and reducing the potential for medication errors.