FDA authorizes infusion pumps’ emergency COVID-19 use, sets guidance for pharmacy compounders’ PPE usage
The Food and Drug Administration Wednesday authorized the emergency use of infusion pumps to counteract insufficient supplies needed for the continuous infusion of medications, total parenteral nutrition and other fluids into COVID-19 patients.
The agency said this includes infusion pumps with remote monitoring or remote manual control features that can help promote safe physical distances to reduce health care providers’ COVID-19 exposure.
FDA also updated its guidance for pharmacy compounders’ use of personal protective equipment.
The guidance, released yesterday, clarifies that intended-sterile drugs can be compounded in segregated compounding areas that are not within cleanrooms, assuming specific beyond-use dates are utilized. The agency said it adopted this policy to help assure patients’ access to necessary medications while reducing the risks of compounding when standard PPE are not available.