How often should a facility review and update its HD program?

• A. Monthly
• B. Every two years
• C. Every five years
• D. At least annually

Answer: (D)

Regular review and updating of the hazardous drugs program is a quality-safety practice that must keep pace with changing hazards, new drugs, and evolving regulations. Doing a formal review at least once a year ensures policies, procedures, training, engineering controls, PPE, spill response, and waste handling stay current and effective. It also provides a structured opportunity to address any incidents, near-misses, or changes in practice that require updates.

Monthly reviews would be unnecessarily frequent for a formal program revision, and intervals like every two years or every five years create gaps where practices may become outdated or noncompliant. By scheduling at least annual reviews, facilities maintain ongoing readiness and compliance while allowing additional updates as needed between formal reviews.