Cleaning, hygiene and equipment
Keeping the pharmacy clean, hand hygiene, the equipment register, maintenance and calibration, and simple compounding equipment.
Version 1 · approved 23 Sept 2026 by Sam Nguyen
A clean, uncluttered pharmacy
The pharmacy is kept clean, hygienic, organised and uncluttered. A cleaning schedule is kept, and cleaning is recorded.
Legal requirement Schedule cl 1(b) · VPA Standard 2.1.2
What the cleaning schedule covers
Benches, shelves, floors, sinks, fridges and air-conditioner filters — recording when each was done.
Pharmacy's own choice VPA Guidelines G2.4.4 · VPA self-audit 2.4.4
Hygiene and infection prevention
- Hand hygiene should be practised before and after contact with a patient, after handling hazardous medicines, and after anything that could contaminate hands. - Surfaces and equipment that touch medicines should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. - Protective equipment suited to the task should be worn — for example, gloves when filling dose administration aids. - Waste, including sharps, should be disposed of correctly. - Staff should be trained in hygiene and infection prevention for their role.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.4.4 · VPA Guidelines G2.4.4
Equipment we use
Equipment should come from reputable suppliers, be fit for its purpose, and be used as the manufacturer instructs. It should be inspected regularly for damage or wear, and kept safe from unauthorised use. Faulty equipment should be taken out of use as soon as practicable, labelled as faulty, and repaired or replaced.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.5.1 · VPA Guidelines G2.5.1 · VPA self-audit 2.5.1
The equipment register
An equipment register should list each item and the maintenance, servicing and calibration it needs, and how often. Where ours is kept: not yet recorded. Each time maintenance is done, the log should record the date, what was done and who did it. External calibration should be done by an appropriately accredited provider using traceable standards, with the report — make, model and serial number, date, standard used, results, uncertainty and accreditation — kept. Maintenance and calibration records should be kept for 5 years.
Regulator guidance VPA Standards 2.5.2 and 2.5.5 · VPA Guidelines G2.5.2 and G2.5.5 · VPA self-audit 2.5
Operating instructions
Written operating instructions should be at the point of use for every item of equipment, and staff should be trained and assessed before using equipment that needs training.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.5.3 · VPA Guidelines G2.5.3
Cleaning equipment
Equipment should be cleaned on a schedule. Anything used for compounding or in contact with patients should be cleaned before and after each use. Clean equipment should be stored dry, labelled with the date last cleaned, and checked before use — if it is not clean, it should be cleaned again. Cleaning cloths and brushes should themselves be cleaned and stored properly.
Regulator guidance VPA Standard 2.5.4 · VPA Guidelines G2.5.4 · VPA self-audit 2.5.4
Simple compounding equipment
The dispensary has, at a minimum: - Class I or Class II scales approved by the National Measurement Institute, with the approval certificate on file, the operating instructions displayed, and the minimum weighable amount displayed prominently - a range of accurately calibrated Class A measures, such as 10, 50, 100 and 200 mL - a mortar and pestle, an ointment slab and a range of spatulas - suitable storage containers. The VPA expects scales to be externally validated and calibrated at least once a year.
Legal requirement VPA Standard 2.5.6 · VPA Guidelines G2.5.6 and G2.5.3 · VPA self-audit 2.5.6
Checks that go with this policy
- Dispensary cleaned and cleared — Daily
- Scales calibration — Yearly
PharmPolicy supports compliance. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the licensee's own judgement or obligations under the Pharmacy Regulation Act 2010 and other laws.