Measures for Preventing Cross Contamination in Dispensing Powder

－Using the Iodine-Starch Reaction－

Abstract

Pharmacists should prevent cross contamination in the process of dispensing powder medicine in order to assure the quality of medicine. Cross contamination is mainly found by observing the external appearance of dispensed powder medicine; however, visual inspection has its limitations. Therefore, in this study, we developed a simple method using the iodine-starch reaction, which occurs based on potassium iodide. This method is useful for identifying the cross contamination that occurs on dispensing-tools and packaging-machines used in our daily work, and we found cross contamination in mixing-cups and packaging-machines by using this method. Taking these results together, we revised the process of dispensing and the way of handling the packaging-machines. In conclusion, the method using iodine starch reaction is very effective for finding cross contamination.