Assessment of ceftolozane/tazobactam stability in elastomeric devices and suitability for continuous infusion via outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the stability of ceftolozane/tazobactam 5 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL solutions for infusion in two elastomeric devices: FOLFusor LV10 (Baxter Healthcare) and Easypump II (B. Braun Medical Ltd) and determine if an extended shelf life of up to 8 days storage at 2-8°C plus 24 h 'in use' at 32°C was achievable.

Methods: Testing was as per the latest NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Yellow Cover Document (YCD) requirements.

Investigation of meropenem stability after reconstitution: the influence of buffering and challenges to meet the NHS Yellow Cover Document compliance for continuous infusions in an outpatient setting.

Objectives: To determine the influence of different buffers, pH and meropenem concentrations on the degradation rates of meropenem in aqueous solution during storage at 32°C, with the aim of developing a formulation suitable for 24-hour infusion in an ambulatory elastomeric device, compliant with the latest National Health Service Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Yellow Cover Document (YCD) requirements.

Methods: Meropenem was diluted to 6.25 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL in aqueous solutions adjusted to various pH with phosphate or citrate buffer and assessed for stability.

Assessment of the stability of citrate-buffered flucloxacillin for injection when stored in two commercially available ambulatory elastomeric devices: INfusor LV (Baxter) and Accufuser (Woo Young Medical): a study compliant with the NHS Yellow Cover Document (YCD) requirements.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of pH and buffers on the degradation rate of flucloxacillin and to determine if flucloxacillin can be stabilised using a buffered diluent for up to 14 days when stored at 2°C-8°C including a 24-hour infusion period at 32°C in two elastomeric devices (Accufuser and INfusor LV) filled to 240 mL. Testing as per the NHS Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Committee Yellow Cover Document (YCD) requirements.

Methods: A validated stability indicating high-performance liquid chromatography method was used for assessing the stability of flucloxacillin diluted in 0.

Performance testing protocol for closed-system transfer devices used during pharmacy compounding and administration of hazardous drugs.

Objectives: The United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is developing a protocol to assess the containment performance of closed system transfer devices (CSTDs) when used for drug preparation (task 1) and administration (task 2) and published a draft protocol in September 2016. Nine possible surrogates were proposed by NIOSH for use in the testing. The objectives of this study were to: (A) select the most appropriate surrogate; (B) validate the NIOSH protocol using this surrogate; and (C) determine the containment performance of four commercial CSTDs as compared with an open system of needle and syringe using the validated NIOSH protocol.