Large scale compounding in a Norwegian hospital pharmacy

Oslo Hospital Pharmacy, Rikshospitalet is the only hospital pharmacy in Norway with sterile production on a large scale. The product range includes sterile solutions filled in glass ampoules, vials, and infusion bottles. While some processes have to be completed manually, most of the products are manufactured with a level of automation. A combination machine allows for the filling and closing of large batches of vials or ampoules in a single day. In addition, semi-automated visual inspection and labeling helps to finalize the product in a short time. The in-house quality control department provides both chemical and microbiological quality control of the final product, as well as stability studies and analysis of raw materials.