Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional Practice

When handling returned drug products, what is the priority action?

1. Document the weight of returned items

2. Determine how the items are handled

3. Repackage the items for resale

4. Disinfect all returned products

The correct answer is: Determine how the items are handled

Determining how the items are handled is the priority action when dealing with returned drug products because it sets the foundation for ensuring safety, compliance, and proper disposition of the returned goods. The handling process includes evaluating the condition of the products, assessing their compliance with regulatory standards, and establishing whether they can be reused, destroyed, or returned to the market. This decision is critical in mitigating risks to patient safety and maintaining the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Prioritizing the determination process allows for an informed approach to each returned product. It ensures that all considerations, such as regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical integrity, and safety, are taken into account before any further actions, like documentation, repackaging, or disinfection, are considered. Without first determining how the items should be handled, subsequent steps may lead to potential mishaps, including the risk of distributing defective or unsafe products.