What is the purpose of a third-party audit in hazardous drug programs?

• A. To reduce costs
• B. To certify staff personally
• C. Independent review ensures compliance, identifies gaps, and drives continuous improvement
• D. To speed up dispensing

Answer: (C)

A third-party audit in a hazardous drug program exists to provide an independent, objective assessment of how well the program meets regulatory requirements, professional standards, and internal policies. This external review is important because it focuses on safety and compliance without internal biases, looking at how processes are actually carried out, how documentation is maintained, training adequacy, engineering controls, use of PPE, storage, handling, and waste management.

From the findings, gaps are clearly identified—things that aren’t meeting requirements or could expose staff and patients to risk. The audit then drives continuous improvement by triggering corrective actions, implementation plans, and follow-up reviews to verify that changes are effective. This cycle helps maintain a strong safety culture and ongoing compliance over time.

Reducing costs isn’t the primary aim of an audit, though cost considerations may be discussed in the context of efficient, compliant practices. Certification of staff personally isn’t the function of an audit, which is about evaluating systems and processes rather than credentialing individuals. And speeding up dispensing would conflict with safety and compliance standards; audits focus on adherence and safety rather than throughput.