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Agvetlink Special Issue for Veterinarians March 2005

The Ins and Outs of Decanting and Breaking Down Product 

On many occasions veterinarians need to place quantities of a registered veterinary medicine into an intermediary container before use.

Intermediary vessels

Most veterinary medicines are presented in a way that requires an intermediary vessel to be used, e.g. an injectable antibiotic preparation.  Others are packaged in a manner that facilitates product use directly but also allows intermediary vessels to be used, e.g. anthelmintics.

Veterinarians are advised that, during the registration process (when necessary), the ACVM Group considers the effect that repeated broachings may have on the integrity of the product remaining in the approved bottle. However, no assessment is conducted with respect to the suitability of any intermediary vessel used to receive the removed product unless this is specifically referred to on the label. 

Product integrity

On every occasion of product transfer veterinarians are expected to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the transfer are appropriate to maintain product integrity and not compromise animal welfare.  Issues to consider include:

•    the suitability of the chosen recipient container with respect to the properties of the product (e.g. material, permeability to air or light)

•    the time frame in which decanted product should be used

•    the transfer of relevant labelling information occurs.

Standard

This inferred requirement is not obvious from the current approvals issued for veterinary medicines.  It is the intention of the ACVM Group to develop a separate condition relating to the expectations surrounding product decanting and breakdown.  A standard will also be developed to provide further guidance with respect to this activity.  In the meantime your reasonable care and professional training should guide your actions.