Procedures for emergency or treatment use of investigational drugs

The procedures for obtaining and dispensing investigational drugs for single-patient compassionate use are described, and roles for pharmacists in this process at a university medical center are identified. To obtain an investigational drug, a physician must contact a pharmaceutical-company study monitor to discuss the details of the case. Other responsibilities of the physician include obtaining institutional review board approval; completing FDA form 1572 or 1573, or both; and securing written informed consent from the patient. The responsibilities of the pharmacist are to ensure that informed consent has been obtained; inform nursing, pharmacy, and medical staffs about the use, admixture requirements, and administration of the investigational agent; provide a therapeutic drug monitoring plan; and store, handle, and prepare the medication. The pharmacist also keeps inventory of all shipped drugs and returns all unused drugs to the manufacturer. Pharmacists should be knowledgeable about the proper procedure for obtaining and dispensing investigational drugs on an emergency or treatment basis.