Questions and Answers on USP 797: Answers Provided by Eric S. Kastango, MBA, RPh, FASHP:

• E27 Question: Can you please tell me exactly what has changed from the 2008 version from the 2007 version?
   

• E27 Answer:  To date, no comprehensive document has been published detailing all of the changes from the original chapter requirements (published Jan 1, 2004) and the revised chapter requirements (to be official June 1, 2008).  The best way, butt not the easiest way, is it download a copy of the revised chapter from the USP website http://www.usp.org/USPNF/pf/generalChapter797.html and read the document.   

(Answer provided as a courtesy to usp797.org by Eric S. Kastango, MBA, RPh, FASHP. Please note that usp797.org is not responsible for this answer.)

• About Eric S. Kastango: Since its inception, Eric S. Kastango has been at the forefront of USP <797>. He is an elected member of the United States Pharmacopoeia Sterile Compounding Committee (2005-2010). Over the years, he has held multiple American Society of Health-System Pharmacists chairmanships and committee positions. He was responsible for creating the “Comprehensive Sterile Compounding Compliance Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment Tool.” In this capacity, Mr. Kastango frequents pharmacy events as an expert speaker, contributes to industry journals, and teaches. Mr. Kastango received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences and a MBA from the University of Phoenix. Since 1980, he has practiced pharmacy in a number of practice settings (including hospitals, community, and home care) in a number of different of roles, including the Corporate Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Coram Healthcare Corporation, which has 72 pharmacies in 44 states. He has also managed a FDA-registered cGMP manufacturing operation for Baxter Healthcare Corporation, and has made over 100 presentations on a variety of pharmacy practice topics.  Mr. Kastango is the President and CEO of Clinical IQ, and can be reached as follows:

Mr. Eric S. Kastango – President and CEO
Clinical IQ, LLC 
184 Columbia Turnpike, #282 
Florham Park, NJ  07932 
Tel: (973) 765-9393 --- www.clinicaliq.com