According to Massachusetts law, can a pharmacist use drug samples for compounding?

In Massachusetts, the law explicitly prohibits the use of drug samples for compounding. Drug samples are typically provided by manufacturers for promotional purposes and are not intended for compounding or mixing with other substances or medications. The underlying principle is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and appropriate use of medications. Compounding involves creating a medication tailored to the needs of a specific patient, and using drug samples, which are not controlled in the same manner as other prescription drugs, would compromise the integrity of this process.

This prohibition is in place to maintain strict standards in pharmacy practice and to prevent any potential issues that may arise from using products that were not properly stored, handled, or dispensed as intended. Therefore, it is critical for pharmacists to adhere to this regulation to ensure that patient safety is prioritized and uncompromised by the use of drug samples in compounding.