What is the purpose of an ISO 5 PEC in a cleanroom environment?

The purpose of an ISO 5 Primary Engineering Control (PEC) in a cleanroom environment is to provide a sterile environment for drug compounding. An ISO 5 PEC meets stringent particulate and microbial requirements, ensuring that the air quality is highly controlled to prevent contamination during the preparation of sterile products.

In a cleanroom, the ISO classification indicates the number of particles per cubic meter in the air, with ISO 5 being one of the cleanest standards typically used for aseptic compounding. Creating a sterile environment is critical in preventing infections and ensuring patient safety, especially when handling medications such as sterile injectables. The air in an ISO 5 PEC is continuously filtered, usually through High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, and must maintain a specific air turnover rate to minimize any airborne contaminants.

The other options are related to different aspects of drug handling and compounding but do not accurately define the primary function of an ISO 5 PEC. For instance, buffer areas are necessary for certain workflows, and while they may deal with hazardous drugs or bulk containers, they do not serve the primary function of directly providing a sterile environment for compounding. This highlights why the correct understanding of ISO classifications and appropriate environments is crucial in pharmacy practice