[Usefulness and uselessness of protective measures; achieving sufficient protection to cytotoxic drug exposure].

Cytotoxic drugs can be harmful when healthcare workers are exposed to them, because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic properties. There are many European and national laws and guidelines, plus local protocols that must be complied with, to protect healthcare workers against cytotoxic drugs. In the Netherlands, the current guidelines for hospitals are well structured and have been proven effective. Compliance to these guidelines remains pivotal, and further attempts to improve worker safety should be aimed at established risks, such as contamination on the outside of commercial drug vials. Non-proven and costly extra measures should not be introduced until their effectiveness has been demonstrated through independent research.