TORONTO, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) has released an analysis of the practices used by Ontario hospitals in procuring compounded pharmaceuticals.
The OHA surveyed Ontario's hospitals regarding their use of pre-compounded intravenous medication purchased from external providers in 1) ready-to-administer format and 2) in-hospital pharmacy use only format. This information is important because it reveals the extent to which hospitals rely on external providers for the supply of pre-compounded intravenous medications, including chemotherapy medications. Only 10 of the 88 hospitals that responded to our survey indicated that they purchased these medications from an external provider for the purpose of in-hospital pharmacy use. The most commonly purchased products are chemotherapy, narcotics and epidurals. The vast majority of this stock product is purchased from one supplier, Baxter CIVA. The primary drivers for the practice of hospitals relying on an external supplier for these pre-compounded medications were occupational health and safety and patient safety.
The full analysis is available at www.oha.com.
Along with the release of the analysis, OHA President and CEO, Pat Campbell, issued the following statement:
"Every hospital leader understands Ontarians' concerns about the practices related to procuring, preparing and administering pharmaceutical drugs for hospital use.
Since April 2, 2013, when Cancer Care Ontario first reported its discovery that lower than intended doses of chemotherapy drugs had been administered at four Ontario hospitals, hospitals have reviewed their processes to ensure that the necessary systems are in place to ensure patient safety with their externally-sourced pharmaceutical products.
In addition to hospitals' individual reviews, the investigations currently being done by Dr. Jake Thiessen, Health Canada, the Ontario College of Pharmacists, and Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will give all health providers - including hospitals, physicians, nurses and pharmacists - the facts they need to make Ontario's health system stronger and better. In the meantime, Ontarians can be confident that swift and appropriate action is being taken to ensure that pharmaceutical care in hospitals remains safe and effective."
About the OHA:
The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is the voice of Ontario's public hospitals. Founded in 1924, the OHA uses advocacy, education and partnerships to build a strong, innovative and sustainable health care system for all Ontarians.
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2013/04/22/20130422_C7648_DOC_EN_25871.pdf
SOURCE: Ontario Hospital Association
Amy Clark, OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1433; [email protected]
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