Insulin Syringes: Pre-Loading
Feb 1994 Council Report

Council accepted a recommendation concerning the appropriateness of the practice by pharmacists of PRE-LOADING
insulin syringes for patients. In agreeing that this activity was acceptable, the following six guidelines for the preloading of insulin syringes by pharmacists were approved:

1. The pharmacist should ensure that the patient (or care giver) has been instructed in the proper technique of administering insulin injections.
2. The pharmacist must use the proper aseptic technique for withdrawing insulin into a syringe.
3. Due to lack of stability, insulin mixtures are not recommended to be pre-filled. For information regarding specific mixtures, the prescribing information in the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS) should be consulted.
4. If a patient is using different brands, species or dosages of insulin, each syringe should be clearly identifiable, using a system such as a rubber band or colored label. The pharmacist must ensure that the patient can clearly distinguish between the different types or quantities of insulin contained in the syringe.
5. Once loaded, the syringes should be placed in a properly labelled, rigid container to prevent any damage occurring to the syringe prior to use, and then stored in the refrigerator. Syringes should be stored with the caps on, in either a flat position or wiht the needle up (to prevent insulin particles from settling inside the needle and clogging it).
6. No more than a seven-day supply of syringe should be preloaded at any time.