Are all pharmaceuticals considered hazardous under USP 800?

The answer is grounded in the specific criteria set forth by USP 800, which outlines protocols for handling hazardous drugs in healthcare settings. Not all pharmaceuticals possess the characteristics to be deemed hazardous. Instead, USP 800 delineates criteria that must be met for a drug to be classified as hazardous.

These criteria include factors such as toxicity, potential for handling-related exposure, and adverse effects related to reproduction. Drug properties such as being an antineoplastic, teratogenic, or having a significant toxicity profile may qualify it as hazardous. This selective criteria-based approach is essential to ensure that only those drugs that could pose a risk to healthcare workers, patients, or the environment are managed according to the stringent practices outlined in USP 800.

Consequently, options that suggest all pharmaceuticals are hazardous, or that only specific forms or those with legal restrictions are categorized as hazardous, do not align with the nuanced criteria established by USP 800. The focus on specific properties ensures that appropriate safety measures are implemented for only those pharmaceuticals that truly warrant them based on their potential risks.