Purdue University Pharmacy has hand sanitizer available for purchase

(From left) Trexie Rudd, clinical services assistant director at Purdue University Pharmacy; Jane Krause, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice; Alissa Kruger, pharmacy student; and Nicole Noel, director of Purdue University Pharmacy. (Photo provided) Download image

The Food and Drug Administration recently gave temporary authorization for pharmacies to compound hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 situation due to inadequate supplies in the market and health care system. The Purdue College of Pharmacy and Purdue University Pharmacy have been busy compounding hand sanitizer to provide this product to the Purdue community.

“Although frequent hand-washing with soap and water is recommended to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, there are times when it is not readily available,” says Nicole Noel, director of the Purdue University Pharmacy. “Having a personal supply of hand sanitizer, a person will be able to clean their hands while on the go, leaving the grocery store or in many office settings on campus.”

The formulation being used meets the content guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The base, like most, is ethyl alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide, glycerol and sterile distilled water make up the other ingredients. The key when using any hand sanitizer for hand hygiene is that it is at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol. 

“The Purdue University Pharmacy will continue to make more hand sanitizer for as long as there is a need in our community and we continue to source supplies necessary to compound it,” Noel said.

Hand sanitizer can be purchased at the Purdue University Pharmacy, located in the Pharmacy Building, Room 118. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The hand sanitizer costs $2.50 for a 2-ounce prefilled bottle. Quantities are limited currently, so no more than two bottles may be purchased at a time.