Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

Question 1

How are drugs classified as hazardous?

Define Hazardous Drugs.

Answer 1

any one of the following six characteristics:
1.Carcinogenicity
2.Genotoxicity
3.Teratogenicity
4.Fertility impairment or reproductive toxicity
5.Serious organ toxicity at low doses
6.Chemical structure and toxicity profile that mimic existing drugs determined to be hazardous

Hazardous drugs are potent and toxic chemicals that may get into workers’ bodies through inhalation, skin absorption(dermal contact), ingestion(hand to mouth contact), or accidental injection.

Question 2

What Are the Occupational Risks when working with Hazardous drugs?

Remember Dranitsaris conclusions for the meta study: A significant association between exposure and spontaneous abortions

Answer 2

1. Short -Term Toxicity :
   hair loss, skin reactions, mucosal sores, tissue injury from skin contact and eye injury from contact
2. Reproductive Risks :
   Fetal Loss, Spontaneous Abortions, Abnormalities, Miscarriages,
3. Cancer risks :
   Leukemia in nurses, NHL (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma ) and skin cancer in pharmacists

Question 3

How does the IARC Classify Carcinogens?
International Agency for Research on Cancer

Answer 3

Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans
Group 2A – Probably carcinogenic to humans
Group 2B – Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Group 3 - Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans

Question 4

Types of Sampling to test for contamination.

Answer 4

1.Air sampling
2.Surface wipe samples
3.Analysis of used gloves
4.Urinalysis of workers

Question 5

How can contamination occur even when safety equipment is used?

Answer 5

All preparation areas are equipped with safety hoods and Personal protective equipment used by pharmacy technicians
However there is not much use of PPE by Nurses in administration.