What is the primary responsibility of a facility's safety officer regarding hazardous drugs?

The primary responsibility of a facility's safety officer regarding hazardous drugs is to oversee compliance with safety protocols. This role is crucial because the safety officer ensures that the facility adheres to established guidelines and standards set forth by organizations such as the USP, OSHA, and other regulatory bodies for handling hazardous drugs.

By overseeing compliance, the safety officer plays a vital part in preventing exposure to hazardous substances, which can have serious health implications for healthcare workers and patients. This includes monitoring proper practices for the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous drugs, as well as ensuring that all necessary protective equipment and controls are in place.

While conducting routine audits, managing drug inventory, and training pharmacy staff are important tasks within a pharmacy setting, they are not the primary responsibility of the safety officer. Instead, these activities may fall under the purview of other roles or departments that support the overall safety and efficient operation of the pharmacy.