Investigational Drug Services

The Investigational Drug Service (IDS)  is a team of specially trained pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians within the VUMC Department of Pharmaceutical Services. The IDS team supports human clinical research involving investigational products and is dedicated to helping investigators accomplish research goals while maintaining compliance with all applicable standards. and regulations. 

Location

There are two IDS dispensing  pharmacies. The VUH and Oncology IDS dispensing area and offices are located in the Vanderbilt University Hospital (VUH) Central Pharmacy. The One Hundred Oaks IDS pharmacy is located at the Vanderbilt Health Pharmacy at One Hundred Oaks.  

Hours of Operation

The IDS pharmacy is staffed Monday through Friday from 0700 - 1700 and is closed on weekends and VUMC observed holidays. The dispensing of investigational products is available 24 hours a day for doses if needed. After hours services are supported by the Central Pharmacy and/or Sterile Admixture staff on nights, weekends, and holidays. Additionally, there are IDS staff members on call to provide assistance when needed. 

Overview of Services

In addition to dispensing, the IDS staff can provide an array of services and advice to investigators on various topics including:

• Dispensing for outpatient and inpatient areas
• Non sterile Compounding
• Budgeting 
• Randomization and study drug accountability
• Integrity of blinding
• Record keeping and retention
• Epic drug files and treatment plans for investigational protocols
• Sterile preparation and distribution of hazardous and non-hazardous investigational products in a USP 797 compliant environment
• Drug and supply procurement as needed
• Quality assurance monitoring