| Hazardous drugs are medicines that have the | | | | Hazardous drugs are required to be handled with |
| tendency to create health disorders like | | | | proper care in order to avoid health disorders. |
| genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. In | | | | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| simple words, these medicines can cause mutation | | | | have published guidelines for safe handling of |
| or change of genetic material, cancerous growth | | | | Hazardous drugs. Using personal protective |
| in cells, defects in foetal development and | | | | equipment like gloves, gowns, caps, and face |
| infertility. The different categories of Hazardous | | | | masks can protect the nurses, physicians and |
| drugs are cytotoxic agents, antineoplastics, | | | | other people handling medicines during their |
| immunosuppressive agents, biological agents and | | | | preparation, administration and transfer. Drug |
| antiviral agents. Due to the adverse health effects | | | | preparation in Biological Safety cabinets can |
| that can be caused by these medicines, several | | | | prevent contamination and occupational exposure |
| scientific research organizations have published | | | | to toxic elements contained in the medicines. Use |
| guidelines on the safe handling of the various | | | | of syringes, IV sets and infusion sets having Luer |
| medicines. | | | | lock fittings can help leakage of medicine. |
| There are various ways in which people employed | | | | Antineoplastic agents used in the treatment of |
| in the field of medicines can be exposed to the | | | | cancer are beneficial to the patients. However |
| disastrous effects of the toxic medications. Health | | | | exposure to these medications can cause health |
| hazards having mild to severe complications can | | | | complications. Nurses, hospital staff like laundry |
| be caused by inhalation of vapors and absorption | | | | workers, waste handlers, and custodial workers |
| of chemical compounds into skin by accidental | | | | are all exposed to the medicines and the harmful |
| contact. Leakage and spills during the | | | | elements contained in them during the treatment |
| manufacture, preparation, administration, storage | | | | of patients. Use of closed system drug transfer |
| and transfer of medicines and other chemical | | | | devices can help reduce the occupational |
| compounds can contaminate work surfaces and | | | | exposure and resulting health hazards. |
| expose healthcare personnel to health disorders. | | | | |