This infographic and key paper summary explains how safe handling of hazardous drugs is approached in Italy.

The Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD) is entering into law in April 2024. It contains guidance for employers on how to keep healthcare staff safe at work when handling hazardous medicinal products. Watch this conversation between Susanne Cruikshank and José Manuel Martínez Sesmero to understand more about the importance of the CMRD.

This infographic explains the changes to the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive, and how this will affect healthcare workers.

This editorial summarises the appropriate topics for healthcare professionals from the European Commission’s recently published ‘Guidance for the safe management of hazardous medicinal products at work’.

This editorial explains who is responsible for monitoring surface contamination of hazardous drugs, and why it is so important

Engineering controls such as closed systems and CSTDs are essential for safe handling of hazardous drugs. This infographic illustrates the differences between closed systems and CSTDs.

This short editorial summarises the definitions of closed systems versus closed system drug transfer devices.

This short article summarises the main barriers to safe handling of hazardous drugs from the perspectives of nurses

This interactive pathway maps the key guidelines onto the various points of potential hazardous drug contamination in the hospital.

Updates to directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and European Council were appoved on 8 March 2022. This 2-pager summarises the updates which are set to be released this year.

Hazardous drug handling is a complex, interdisciplinary process that requires adherance to guidelines and recommendations. This editorial dicsusses the scope of some of the various available guidelines and the importance of keeping up to date with their changes.

In the first of 2 videos, Dr Sara Arenas discusses the role of the pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team. Pulling from her experience in medicine management, she describes the various aspects to consider in the financing and stocking of medicines.

Dr Sara Arenas continues her discussion on the role of the pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team, specifically focusing on the vital clinical contribution pharmacists provide to patient care.

Watch Dr Christian Reiss discuss different waste management processes for hazardous drug disposal in three key areas of the drug pathway: the pharmacy, the ward and the patient’s home.

This 2-page evaluation summarises key findings from a review of surface contamination monitoring in hospital pharmacy departments conducted by the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacists (SEFH).

Surface contamination poses risks to healthcare workers and patients. In this month’s editorial, read about the importance of surface contamination monitoring to reduce hazardous drug exposure.

One of the biggest concerns in the administration of hazardous drugs is the risk to those who come into contact with these drugs: patients, nurses and other health care professionals who administer the drug. Read this month’s editorial to explore ways of reducing these risks

The use of hazardous drugs (HD) for example cytotoxic drugs to treat cancer, has increased exponentially over the last 40 years. Sadly, however the awareness of the risks in administering HD has not increased at the same rate. Hear what two nurses have to say about the role of nurses in the handling of these drugs and what controls can be put in place to help mitigate the risks.

This one-pager summarises key information from three important documents for engineering controls: a joint position statement from the Oncology Nursing Society and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Assocation, the USP <800>, and the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is widespread in the medical workforce caused by repetitive movement or overuse. It can affect the muscles, nerves, or tendons mostly in the upper body. This factsheet provides an overview of recent facts and figures on the prevalence, risk factors, impact, and mitigation of RSI.

Dr Ana Herranz explores who is at risk of exposure to hazardous drugs, what precautions are put in place to protect them, who has responsibility for ensuring their safety and what guidelines and legislation exist to protect them. Watch her intro video or go direct to the module!

Compare how the “do’s and don’ts” of hazardous drug handling differ across Europe and discover how international directives could impact your working practice with this module. Watch Marta Trojniak introduce her updated module.

Dr Nicolas Simon introduces his updated module which delves into the problem of decontaminating antineoplastic drug compounding facilities.

Mark Santillo answers key questions on what constitutes acceptable hazardous drug risk assessment and highlights the most common failing. Watch the intro video or go direct to the module!

Hospital staff, patients and visitors are all affected if hazardous drugs are not handled safely. This module examines best practice in the preparation, administration and waste management of these drugs. Play the video to watch Johan Vandenbroucke introduce his updated module.

All healthcare professionals, and especially hospital pharmacists, need to concern themselves with ensuring the quality of injectable medications. This module explores the technologies used to maintain product integrity from preparation to administration. Watch Johan Vandenbrouke briefly introduce his updated module.

Some drugs are more hazardous than others, and appropriate levels of protection must be deployed by hospital employees responsible for ensuring safety. Watch Johan Vandenbroucke as he introduces this module about risk management strategies.