PCAB® Accreditation: What It Is & How It’s Earned
At Mixlab, we take pride in being a PCAB®-accredited pharmacy, especially because we’re the first pet pharmacy with a location in Manhattan, NY to have achieved this status. Accreditations can assure you that we not only hold ourselves accountable to stringent quality standards, but we have third-party oversight and recognition as well.
What Is PCAB® Accreditation?
PCAB® stands for Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board. It’s a voluntary accreditation program that sets the standards for quality and safety in pharmaceutical compounding. PCAB® accreditation is granted to compounding pharmacies that meet the stringent criteria and demonstrate their commitment to providing exceptional products and services.
Hey, that’s us! As part of our PCAB® accreditation and commitment to delivering high-quality products, we:
- Compound using USP-grade chemicals and exceed USP <795> standards
- Source ingredients from FDA-registered facilities
- Employ veterinary-trained pharmacists who are Fellows of the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (FACVP)
- Hold ourselves to tolerance standards that are 3x more stringent than industry standards
- Maintain clear and contaminant-free pharmacy facilities with HEPA-filtered air circulation
- Perform specialized training and regular audits for compounding pharmacists and technicians
- Adhere to the PCAB® “Principles of Compounding” and agree to periodic third-party audits from PCAB®
Want to learn more about our commitment to quality? Check out this blog article.
How We Earned Our PCAB® Accreditation: Requirements & Processes
Earning PCAB® accreditation is not an easy feat. That’s why only about 8% of pharmacies in the U.S. have achieved it. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
1. Application
We submitted an application to the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board. This application initiated the evaluation process.
2. Self-Assessment
Once our application was approved, we conducted a thorough self-assessment to ensure compliance with PCAB® standards. This self-assessment was intended to identify any areas that required improvement before our on-site surveys.
3. On-Site Survey
A team of PCAB® surveyors visited our pharmacies for on-site evaluations. They assessed various aspects, including facilities, equipment, personnel, documentation, quality control processes and compounding practices.
4. Accreditation Decision
Based on the findings from the on-site surveys, the PCAB® Accreditation Committee determined that our pharmacy met the accreditation standards.
5. Ongoing Compliance
We now undergo regular assessments to ensure continued adherence to the standards. These assessments help maintain the highest level of quality and safety in compounded pet medications.
While this process seems simple at first read, there is a lot of thought and effort that is required to achieve accreditation. We are so proud of our team for achieving and maintaining it, and we are committed to providing high-quality products to our customers because of it.
What Does Our PCAB® Accreditation Mean for You?
Enough talk about us! What does this accreditation mean for you, and how could it affect your quality of care? Here are some starting points:
Quality Assurance
When you partner with a PCAB®-accredited pet pharmacy, you can have confidence in the quality of the medications provided. Accredited pharmacies adhere to rigorous quality control processes, ensuring that every compounded medication meets the highest standards of safety and efficacy.
Consistent Results
Compounding medications require precision and accuracy. Working with a PCAB®-accredited pharmacy ensures that the compounded medications your patients receive are consistent from one prescription to another. This consistency is vital for achieving optimal treatment outcomes.
Enhanced Patient Care
As an A+ veterinarian (we’re sure you are!), you strive to provide the best care possible to your animal patients. By partnering with a PCAB®-accredited pharmacy, you gain a valuable ally in delivering exceptional patient care. The customized medications provided by an accredited pharmacy can improve compliance, increase treatment effectiveness and enhance the overall well-being of your patients — and the happiness of their parents!
Add Value to Your Practice by Partnering with Mixlab
By committing to superior standards of excellence in prescription compounding and beyond, we’re here to help make your job easier. We’ll stay up to date on changing regulations, ensure high-quality products are delivered seamlessly and add joy to the patient experience along the way — all while keeping you at the center of care.
To learn more about what partnership looks like, get in touch.
