An Overview on Exposure to Hazardous Drugs

The preparation of Hazardous Drugs involvesA closed system drug transfer device is one such
toxic and potent agents, which may causeprotective device that mechanically transfers the
immediate and long-term negative health effectsenvironmental contaminants and sterile products
when exposed to workers and staffs ininto a closed system and prevents escape of
healthcare industries. Studies showed a correlationaerosols, vapor concentrations and drugs from
between workers directly or indirectly involvedvials outside the system. It has benefit over the
with these drugs and the increased risk ofuse of biological safety cabinet, as it is both
developing skin rashes, reproductive disorders,airtight and leak proof. These devices when
respiratory problems, as well as the risk ofaccessed in proper way will result in protection
leukemia and other forms of cancer.against exposure to hazardous agents.
The day pharmaceutical companies and healthcareSafe handling of these drugs involves protection
industries came to know about the adverseof healthcare workers throughout the processes
effects of occupational exposure to hazardousof drug preparation, administration and disposal.
drugs, they have been working on the projectsPersonal protective equipments such as lab courts,
to design a cost effective and easy to usegloves, masks, etc. does not ensure adequate
system, which will help healthcare staffs to safelyprotection against workers handling such
handle hazardous substances. Their designmedications. Therefore, healthcare organizations
prospects mainly included no drip-tip technologyhave issued safety guidelines to healthcare
for the leak free transfer of these drugs andworkers and recommend the practice of closed
reduced surface contamination. They also intendeddrug transfer devices in all such processes.
to design a passive safety system, whichResearch has shown that while compounding
automatically encloses upon disconnection andhazardous drugs in conjunction with a
prevent free flow of drugs. An automatic safetyclosed-system drug transfer device, a significant
lock to be incorporated to ensure safety againstreduction in drug contaminants in the nearby
accidental discharges.environment has resulted out.