If a drug is found to be adulterated, what action must be taken?

When a drug is identified as adulterated, it poses a potential risk to patient safety and public health because it may not meet the required standards for purity, quality, or strength. Therefore, the appropriate action is to quarantine the affected drug to prevent its distribution or use until the issue is resolved in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Quarantining involves isolating the adulterated drug from other medications, ensuring that it cannot be inadvertently dispensed or sold. Following this, the drug must be addressed according to the regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other relevant authorities, which may include proper disposal or remediation processes. This approach ensures that any risks associated with the contaminated product are managed appropriately, protecting patients and upholding safety standards within the pharmacy practice.

Reselling, giving away, or placing the drug back on the shelf without proper evaluation and corrective actions would compromise safety and is therefore not acceptable under regulatory standards.