The use of standard batch sheets ensure that consistent strengths of these products are prepared across all areas of the health sector to prevent medicine dosing errors occurring due to mix-ups. There have been several instances of overdoses and underdosing occurring due to confusion caused by different strengths being prepared by different pharmacies.
The standard batch sheets published here are created and maintained by the Compounding Working Group (CWG), a sub-committee of the Health Quality & Safety Commission Medication Safety Expert Advisory Group. They are based on the best available evidence from recent or robust published studies. In situations where such evidence is weak or unavailable the recommendations are based on current best practice from New Zealand or overseas.
Pharmacists using these batch sheets should be familiar with the content of the following documents:
This document addresses common questions about substituting bases, storage conditions, shelf-life and using different brands.
- Pharmacy Council Safety Alert – Caution Required with Compounded Oral Liquid Formulations – April 2019
This document provides recommendations to minimise risk of adverse events related to compounded oral preparations.
NZSOF updates
- CWG message on Ora® product supply issue - September 2023
- Four new batch sheets (lorazepam, melatonin, ondansetron, vancomycin) and amendment to sildenafil - January 2023
- Concentration change for baclofen NZSOF - November 2021
- CWG message on baclofen suspension and risk of medication error - October 2020
- New clonidine NZSOF and justification for no diazepam NZSOF - June 2020
- Update to flecainide NZSOF- January 2020
- Update to amiodarone and amlodipine NZSOF - November 2019
- Update to omeprazole and clozapine NZSOF - August 2019
- Update on NZ Standardised Batch Sheets for Compounded Oral Liquid Formulations - July 2019
Important Note
No person should rely on the contents of this collated information without first obtaining advice from a qualified professional person. This information is provided on the terms and understanding that the publisher, authors, consultants and editors are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information provided here. The publisher, and the authors, consultants and editors, expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, whether a practitioner or reader of this information or not, in respect of anything, and of the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this information. Without limiting the generality of the above no author, consultant or editor shall have any responsibility for any act or omission of any author, consultant or editor. Inclusion of a formulation is not meant to imply that the editors or the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand recommended the use of the formulation and/or drug either generally or for a specific condition. Some products listed may not necessarily be stocked in every hospital, pharmacy or country using this information.
Disclaimer: These batch sheets have been designed to provide guidance and standardised formulations for New Zealand pharmacists. Please note brand changes may impact on the formulation provided. Do not substitute different brands without confirming if this is appropriate. Information was considered accurate at the time of publication and may change as a result of more recent medical developments.
Baclofen 1 mg/mL - new from 1st November 2021
Diazepam - no standard formulation justification
