Hazardous Drug Safety

The ASHP recommends that pharmacies develop and implement a safety management program. Pharmacy representation on the safety committee is important not only to the department but also to the effectiveness of the safety committee. Concern over safe handhng of medication errors and hazardous drug safety has increased the pharmacy s presence on the committee. The pharmacy director must ensure that the department conducts an effective orientation and on-the-job training program to address... 

Accomplish a workplace analysis of all hazardous drug areas. Develop, implement, maintain, and review annually the written hazardous drug safety plan designed to protect those who handle or are exposed to hazardous medications. NIOSH and OSHA provide guidance in the development of a drug safety and health plan. Nursing stations on floors where hazardous drugs will be administered... 

In December 2008, the FDA released its guidance document for antidiabetic drug safety [5]. In it, they suggest that any new drug application contains a prospective trial that demonstrates the 95% confidence interval (Cl) for the hazard ratio for CV events be < 1.8 for approval. Furthermore, if the upper bound is > 1.3 (while being < 1.8), they suggest that further study is needed after approval until the upper bound can be shown to be < 1.3. A trial with a 95% Cl entirely < 1.3 at the time of approval would require no further study. 

Basic model for a drug safety communication Short heading which inciudes the drug and hazard... 

Provide both general and specific safety training in handling hazardous drugs Training about location and proper use of spill kits Ensure training meets all relevant OSHA requirements... 

During the preparation of hazardous drugs, use a ventilated cabinet to reduce the potential for occupational exposure. Performance test methods and criteria for BSCs may be found in Primary Containment for Biohazards Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets, second edition, CDC/NIH, 2000. A current field certification label should be prominently displayed on the ventilated cabinet per NSF/ANSI49. 

Connor TH, MacKenzie BA, DeBord DG, Trout DB, O Callaghan JP (2014) NIOSH list of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings, 2014. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, http //www.cdc.gov/ niosh/docs/2014-138/pdfs/2014-l 38 v3.pdf... 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2004) NIOSH Alert. Preventing occupational exposure to antineo-plastic and other hazardous drugs in health care settings. 

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