Health care providers must follow new standards for the safe handling of hazardous drugs effective Dec. 1, 2019.
The U.S. Pharmacopeia Chapter 800 indicates how to handle hazardous drugs with a risk of exposure to patients, healthcare workers and the environment.
Hazardous drugs are regulated through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Hazard Communication Standard. This standard necessitates information about the hazards of the chemicals in the workplace be offered and comprehensible to workers.
The purpose of the standards includes helping reduce the risk posed to patients and the healthcare workforce.