In my experience working with community pharmacies across the country, nonsterile compounding under USP <795> is mostly handled by independent operators. These are often smaller community or retail pharmacies that have carved out compounding niches to better serve their patient base. Many of them aren’t just focused on USP <795>—they’re also building out USP <797> sterile compounding capabilities, with the goal of maintaining flexibility across their services.
It’s not unusual to see both sterile and nonsterile operations happening under one roof, especially as pharmacies grow and invest in facility upgrades. Sometimes, they start with nonsterile compounding, then expand into sterile as their patients request specialized medicine. Many are also compounding hazardous drugs (HDs), whether it be antineoplastics, immunosuppressants, or hormones, and thus need to be aware of USP<800> applicable standards.
While USP <795> may not be as rigorous as the sterile standards outlined in USP <797>, it’s completely understandable that there can still be uncertainty or areas where clarification is needed when it comes to best practices and compliance. One of the issues is the Chapter itself. It takes time and often multiple reads to fully understand what is required vs. what is recommended as best practice.
Pharmacy owners and technicians come from a variety of backgrounds. Some may have previously worked in hospital environments, while others are new to compounding entirely. That diversity certainly brings energy and valuable perspectives to the nonsterile compounding community. At the same time, it can sometimes lead to differences in how cleaning protocols, product selection, and documentation are understood or applied. As a result, expectations may vary from one setting to another, which can sometimes create uncertainty about what is required.
A frequent question not addressed in detail by the chapter is centered around the proper decontamination of compounding tools and dishware. Questions often come up around whether certain disinfectants — like Peridox RTU— can be used in areas where drug residue and indirect food contact concerns overlap. The answer often comes down to understanding the full process, including follow-up cleaning steps. In many cases, the product is acceptable — it just has to be used properly.
One trend I’ve seen repeatedly: community pharmacies want simple and cost-effective solutions. If they’re already buying sterile cleaning products for USP <797>, it’s tempting to use those same products for nonsterile areas to avoid purchasing multiple SKUs.
While that’s understandable, it can lead to blurred lines in compliance if procedures aren’t well documented. That's why part of my role — and Contec Healthcare’s role as a solution partner — is to help pharmacies strike the right balance between compliance, efficiency, and budget.
For pharmacies working under USP <795>, these are the core products I recommend repeatedly:
Contec® Low-Lint QF Wipes: These low-lint synthetic wipes are optimized for use in nonsterile compounding environments — particularly where powder removal and residue control are critical. Ideal for dry or wet use; they’re a go-to solution for hazardous drug compounding and are often used for dry wipe-downs in powder-heavy settings like containment hoods or designated compounding counters.
When paired with a disinfectant, QF Wipes support thorough decontamination of CNSP (Compounded Nonsterile Preparation) residue. They also function well as a general-purpose wipe for dry dusting between batches.
In conversations with customers, what matters most is having the right wipe for the right task — especially when managing batch turnover, visible residue, or cross-contamination risks. The low-lint design of QF Wipes ensures minimal particulates while maximizing surface coverage and efficiency.
PeridoxRTU® (Nonsterile): A reliable choice for decontaminating surfaces that may have hazardous drug residue, PeridoxRTU® is an EPA-registered disinfectant that offers the right level of oxidizing action and cleaning formulation to support compliance. While USP <795> specifies sanitization as the minimum requirement, using PeridoxRTU® per its 3-minute* wet-contact time provides a higher level of surface disinfection, including sporicidal efficacy against pathogens like Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile).
*For sporicidal disinfection. Reference EPA label for full claims.
It also simplifies cleaning routines with a third party validated one- or two-pass decontamination process, followed by a final wipe with 70% IPA, making it both effective and practical for routine use in nonsterile compounding environments.
If there’s one message I consistently share with pharmacies working through USP <795> compliance, it’s this: take the time to understand the applicable standards — and remember, it’s okay to ask for help along the way.
Our Contec Healthcare team is here to walk alongside you. Whether you’re planning a buildout, revamping protocols, or just need guidance on product selection, we’re ready to support you. Need help navigating USP <795> best practices and compliance?
Connect with a Contec Healthcare Expert today to review your cleaning protocols and product needs.