INTRODUCTION

The objective of this chapter is to describe conditions and practices to prevent harm, including death, to patients that could result from (1) microbial contamination (nonsterility), (2) excessive bacterial endotoxins, (3) variability in the intended strength of correct ingredients that exceeds either monograph limits for official articles (see General Notices, 2.20 Official Articles) or 10% for nonofficial articles, (4) unintended chemical and physical contaminants, and (5) ingredients of inappropriate quality in compounded sterile preparations (CSPs). Contaminated CSPs are potentially most hazardous to patients when administered into body cavities, central nervous and vascular systems, eyes, and joints, and when used as baths for live organs and tissues. When CSPs contain excessive bacterial endotoxins (see Bacterial Endotoxins Test 〈85〉), they are potentially most hazardous to patients when administered into the central nervous system.