G/Town Hospital launches first-ever IV medication compounding programme in Guyana

In alignment with the celebration of Commonwealth Pharmacy Week 2025, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) proudly announces the commissioning of a new non-hazardous compounding hood at the Maternity Pharmacy. This installation marks the official launch of GPHC’s groundbreaking Compounding Sterile Preparation IV Program—the first of its kind not only at the institution, but in Guyana.

Commissioned on Wednesday,19 June 2025, the sterile compounding hood represents a major advancement in GPHC’s ongoing efforts to modernize pharmaceutical services and enhance patient safety through the aseptic preparation of intravenous (IV) medications.

This week’s launch is a significant milestone for both the hospital and the country. For the first time, IV medications will be compounded under sterile conditions right at GPHC: dramatically reducing the risk of contamination and improving the accuracy, safety, and quality of patient care.

This achievement was made possible through the dedication of a truly multidisciplinary team, including professionals from Pharmacy, Nursing, Facilities, Engineering, and Medical Services. It also reflects the continued partnership between GPHC and Mount Sinai International, underscoring a shared commitment to sustainable health system strengthening and capacity building.

As part of the launch, two clinical pharmacists; Leslyn Bunbury and Shweta Parasram, were awarded certificates, becoming the first in the country to complete specialized training and certification in sterile IV compounding. Their accomplishment marks a pivotal step in the hospital’s efforts to elevate pharmacy practice and ensure safer medication preparation.

Looking ahead, GPHC will soon activate its Hazardous Compounding Hood (Chemotherapy Hood), already installed at the Oncology Clinic. This hood will support the safe and sterile preparation of chemotherapy medications. Nurses and doctors who currently mix these drugs will undergo specialized training to operate the hood, further enhancing safety for both patients and healthcare providers involved in oncology care. Once the clinical pharmacists are certified in chemotherapy compounding, they will begin mixing chemotherapy drugs in addition to the non-hazardous medications.

The program offers numerous benefits, including improved infection control, greater medication accuracy, increased patient safety, and alignment with international quality standards.

Over time, GPHC aims to expand sterile compounding services hospital-wide, alleviate the burden on nursing staff, and raise the overall quality and safety of care delivered to patients.

As Guyana’s national referral hospital, GPHC remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, with safety, collaboration, and excellence at the heart of its mission. [GPHC Press Release]