USP convention releases new edition of Pharmacists' Pharmacopeia

Compendium serves as an authoritative reference on safe pharmacy compounding

Rockville, Md., March 17, 2008 — The U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention today announced the release of a new edition of the Pharmacists’ Pharmacopeia, a comprehensive resource containing critical information for advancing the practice of safe and effective pharmacy and veterinary compounding.

Compiled under the guidance of leading pharmacy and veterinary experts, the Pharmacists’ Pharmacopeia offers practicing compounding professionals vital information on safely preparing, compounding, packaging and storing medications. It combines relevant text from the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP–NF) — the compendia that provide the official standards for quality, purity and strength for prescription and over-the-counter medications sold in the United States — with authorized content developed by USP’s Council of Experts. The Council of Experts is the volunteer governing body that directs USP’s scientific and standards-setting decisions.

“The Pharmacists’ Pharmacopeia is not only an important resource that assists compounding professionals in doing their jobs more effectively, but it is a key component in assuring the safety of patients with individualized needs who use compounded products to treat their medical conditions,” said Darrell Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D., chief science officer for USP. “The reference is an important part of USP’s almost 200-year tradition of supporting the health professional’s key role in promoting public health and safety.”