Unit-dose packaging and repackaging of solid and liquid dosage forms in an institutional setting

Although repackaging drugs into unit-dose packages can be time consuming and labor intensive, it can significantly reduce medication errors and improve patient safety in health systems. Pharmacists can play a vital role in choosing appropriate repackaging equipment and labeling programs that are compatible with the health system's Bar-Code-Enabled Medication Administration system. They can develop policies and procedures for repackaging drugs and ensuring that all medications have scan-able barcodes or identifiers. Pharmacists can also develop a quality-assurance program to ensure that the Bar-Code-Enabled Medication Administration system is effective and that the unit-dose packaging operations meet United States Pharmacopeial Convention standards and other professional guidelines.