Gigi Davidson on U.S. Pharmacopeia Council of Experts

Gigi Davidson, Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services with North Carolina State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, has been elected to the United States Pharmacopeia Council of Experts as chair of Pharmacy Compounding for 2010-2015.

United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a scientific, standards-setting organization that advances public health through standards and related programs that help ensure the quality, safety, and benefit of medicines and food.

“The independent, scientific experts who are responsible for developing new and revising existing quality standards to reflect superior and up-to-date science are the backbone of USP,” says Roger Williams, M.D., USP executive officer and chair of the Council of Experts. “As new products and ingredients are developed in the areas of medicines and foods, and as new challenges in global quality control and production emerge, the role of standards becomes even more critical.”

Pharmacy compounding is the mixing of drugs to meet the unique needs of a patient. Personalized medication solutions are the only option for millions of Americans who have special health care needs that cannot be met by standard prescription medications.

USP has included compounded medicines as one of nine resolutions or focus areas for 2010-2015. The organization "resolves to continue its commitment to standards for compounding, working with the compounding community, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders to develop and maintain optimal process and preparation standards, and promote adoption of such standards by compounding professionals and regulatory authorities."

May 4, 2010