The second Pharmaceutical Compounding Quality Assurance Seminar is scheduled for September 16 and 17. Sponsored by Spectrum Laboratories, Analytical Research Laboratories (ARL), and the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC), the seminar on "Developing a Quality Compounding Practice that Meets and Exceeds USP Standards" will be held in Oklahoma City. In this seminar, participants are actively involved in a "first of its kind" educational experience for pharmacy compounding.

The sessions begin with presentations on the source and scope of quality control in pharmacy compounding (Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh; Editor-in-Chief, IJPC), followed by in-house and out-sourced testing issues (Tom Kupiec, PhD; CEO, ARL). The next topic will be on the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board [PCAB] (Ken Baker, JD, RPh; Executive Director, PCAB).

The participants will then be divided into two groups for the second and third sessions. Each group will participate in more detailed sessions on quality issues related to United States Pharmacopeia Chapters <795>, <797>, and <1075>, and practical issues related to their implementation. The groups also participate in four hours of "hands-on" laboratory exercises with practical experience on the use of different analytical and microbiological methods in testing compounded preparations. These exercises include specific gravity, spectroscopy, sterility, endotoxin, refractive index, osmolality/tonicity, viscosity, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, melting point, microscopy, and pH. In addition, a new research-grade spectrophotometer will be demonstrated for use in a compounding pharmacy.

Participants also have an opportunity of interacting with the speakers and getting their questions answered one-on-one, as well as during the formal sessions. Quality pharmaceutical compounding in the future will require more quality assurance activities. Many of the analytical methods used can be performed in the pharmacy, after appropriate training is received. The first step is to determine what analytical methods are important, which ones should be outsourced to an analytical laboratory, and which ones can be done in-house. Analytical facilities are already a part of many compounding pharmacies, both in the US and especially in other countries. Attend the seminar and see what can be used today in your compounding pharmacy to document your compounding activities.

Loyd V. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., R.Ph
Editor-in-Chief

This discussion group has grown to over 1,100 pharmacy personnel worldwide who continue to converse about treatment options they have been asked about from physicians and patients:

• Dark rosin
• Difference between Liquor Carbonis Detergens (LCD) and Pix Carbonis (Coal Tar) - DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ONE FOR THE OTHER!
• Jessner's Solution
• Oral naloxone
• Oral progesterone use in pregnancy
• Parkinson's alternative treatments
• PO to IT conversion of morphine, hydromorphone, etc.
• Progesterone nasal spray
• Rosacea treatments
• Troches and lollipops

Join the list today at www.CompoundingToday.com/CNL and read what others have to say and/or contribute, and what questions are posted. It's easy, free, and informative.

This Regulatory Update has been provided by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. For more information, www.iacprx.org.

Senator Kennedy Hosts Hill Briefing on Compounding
On July 21st, Senator Kennedy (D-MA, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee) held a briefing for Hill staff regarding compounding. Several dozen Congressional staff attended the briefing, which featured several outspoken critics of pharmacy compounding. All panel speakers promoted increased regulation of pharmacy compounding, providing varying suggestions on type of regulation, and the degree of intensity required. The briefing may add fuel to pending legislative efforts.

Looking for information on dextromethorphan use in treating pain? There have been three articles and two formulations printed in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC). Check them out by going to www.ijpc.com, click on search, type in dextromethorphan, and you will get the following list:

Dextromethorphan, an NMDA receptor antagonist, as a treatment for pain.
Mishkan ES. IJPC 2005; 9(5): 339-346.

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide 30-mg and morphine sulfate 10-mg capsules.
Allen LV Jr. IJPC 1998; 2(2): 148.

The basics of compounding: Compounding powder-filled capsules (Example formula of capsule with dry powder fill - Page 215).
Allen LV Jr. IJPC 1999; 3(3): 209-215.

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and opioid tolerance: A compounding opportunity for pharmacists with chronic pain patients.
Kane DL, Glasnapp A. IJPC 1998; 2(2): 118-119.

Chronic neuropathic pain: Pharmacological interventions in the new millennium - A theory of efficacy.
Jones M. IJPC 2000; 4(1): 6-15.

Two-Day Seminar Helping You Develop A Quality Compounding Practice That Meets and Exceeds USP Standards

When: September 16 & 17, 2006
Where: PHF Conference Center, 655 Research Parkway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
Featured Speakers: Thomas Kupiec, PhD; Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh; and Kenneth R. Baker, RPh, JD

Click Here for more Information: www.spectrumrx.com/SpectrumRx/events/QAseminar.asp

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Sterility testing is an important step in verifying that the aseptic process has rendered a preparation sterile. If you are involved in the compounding of sterile preparations, the quality control article in IJPC's July/August 2006 issue contains important information about sterility failure investigations. We urge you to read that article found on pages 372 through 375.

Sign up today at www.IJPC.com and start your journal print and electronic subscriptions. You can download what you are currently subscribed to and purchase electronic access to our complete set of back issues.

Add Visual Movement and Information in Your Pharmacy!
Place daily announcements, sale items, current events, and compounding information on a PowerPoint slide show on a computer. Install several monitors throughout your store (entrance, above the cashier lines, along the walls, etc.) and tie them together through a video distribution system. Then, start your PowerPoint slide shows to run automatically all day long. This system can be installed rather inexpensively, or, depending upon what is desired, a more expensive system can be installed. The basics start with one computer and monitor and can be expanded to dozens of monitors. PowerPoint slide presentations are easily changed throughout the day or can be the same for several days. In addition to messages, video clips can also be used. How far you go is up to you.