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External contamination of antineoplastic drug vials: an occupational risk to consider
- Source :
- European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice. 29(5)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Risk management for workers involved in the handling and preparation of cytotoxic drugs is challenging. This study aims to investigate drug contamination of the exterior surfaces of cytotoxic drug vials. Two batches of commercially available cytotoxic drugs in unprotected vials (ifosfamide, etoposide phosphate and cyclophosphamide) and plastic shrink wrap vials (doxorubicin, cytarabine and busulfan) were tested without removing the flip-off cap or the plastic wrap, and without prewashing. The results showed significant trace amounts of cytotoxic drugs on the exterior surfaces in both unprotected (eg, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide) and protected plastic shrink wrap vials (eg, cytarabine), indicating that the secondary packaging of protected vials does not systematically prevent exposure to the handlers. These results focus on the need for guidelines to prevent cytotoxic vial contamination and safety recommendations for staff in the handling and storage of these vials.
- Subjects :
- business.product_category
Drug Contamination
Occupational risk
Antineoplastic drug
Antineoplastic Agents
macromolecular substances
Plastic wrap
Pharmacology
Vial
fluids and secretions
Occupational Exposure
parasitic diseases
Medicine
Humans
Ifosfamide
General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
Cyclophosphamide
Drug Packaging
integumentary system
business.industry
Cytarabine
virus diseases
Contamination
business
Plastics
Busulfan
medicine.drug
Environmental Monitoring
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 20479956
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....08cd8590b37e47efa17fd59f7cf40a19