As State Boards across the country grapple with implementation of USP GC <795>, one issue that has gained tremendous attention is the flavoring of conventionally manufactured medications, like amoxicillin, cefdinir, and Tamiflu. USP is telling the Boards that the simple act of adding flavoring to these types of medications is nonsterile compounding.

If this thinking prevails, here’s a sampling of what it means for you and your patients:

1. You’ll need a prescription from the child’s doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner to add flavoring to a medication, even if that child’s parent or caregiver asks for it

2. You must wash your hands and forearms for 30 seconds each before flavoring

3. You must don a gown before each flavoring

4. You must wear sterile gloves before and during each flavoring

5. You may need to get your pharmacy accredited as a certified compounding pharmacy

6. You’ll most likely need to remodel your pharmacy to comply

There’s more. But you get the point. The flavoring service will no longer be feasible for you to provide to your youngest patients to help them take their medicine. What a shame.

There’s still time to keep flavoring in pharmacy. Your State Board is the ultimate authority on what does and does not get regulated as nonsterile compounding. Let them know you’re concerned. Share your flavoring stories with them. Make it clear to them that you need flavoring to provide children with the best care possible.

To quickly and easily send a message of support to your State Board, click on your state from the list below. This will generate an automated email directly to your State Board, which you can read over and customize before sending.