What is aseptic dispensing?
Aseptic dispensing is the preparation and supply of sterile medical products, which require some dilution or other manipulation before administration. The preparation is carried out in the pharmacy aseptic service department by trained technicians, assistants and pharmacists under environmentally controlled conditions before being dispensed in a form ready for immediate use without further manipulation. The preparations are aseptically dispensed in response to a prescription/order for a named patient, under the supervision of a pharmacist. This means that the unit is exempt from licensing requirements under the Medicines Act but all the relevant standards of Quality Assurance are applied and the process is subject to regular audit. Clinical research trials are also prepared in the aseptic service department. Why do it? Aseptic dispensing ensures medication management by the pharmacist right up to the point of administration thus improving the quality of care and reducing risk to patien