Hazards of Cytotoxic Drugs Spurring New Standards and Solutions

(Nashua, NH) – The use of drugs that must be handled with care to avoid collateral harm to patients and caregivers is receiving increased attention as new information on the risks becomes known. These drugs – cytotoxic drugs – are an important element in the treatment of numerous types of cancer and are also used at lower doses to treat autoimmune conditions. New standards that specify the way these drugs should be handled have been proposed and are expected to result in an increase in the use of devices and methods for limiting incidental exposure for at-risk healthcare workers and patients.

Many drugs used to treat cancer (e.g., alkylating agents and antimetabolites) are considered hazardous because they bind to or damage DNA. Other antineoplastic drugs, some antivirals, antibiotics, and bioengineered drugs interfere with cell growth or proliferation, or with DNA synthesis. The effects of exposure are considered cumulative and a threshold level below which risk is considered acceptable has not been established.

While the dangers of cytotoxic drugs have been known since the 1970s, specifically-designed drug handling systems for containing drug vapors and microspheres – known as closed system transfer devices (CSTDs) – were not readily available until the 1990s. Since then, safe handling practices have grown but in the absence of specific requirements they remain arbitrary and unevenly applied. On February 1, 2016, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapter 800: "Hazardous Drugs: Handling in Healthcare Settings" was published, and will provide the first enforceable standards concerning hazardous drugs beginning on July 1, 2018.

Because closed system transfer devices represent a heterogenous mix of devices and products, much of the current debate among regulatory and standards authorities has been focused on nomenclature and ways to achieve standardization for testing methods and test result interpretation. The current generation of CSTDs has been extensively tested using methods designed to emulate real-world conditions. Each device varies in its approach to drug transfer and vapor containment, and published results indicate a significant range of benefits and limitations across the population of commercially-available products.

These findings are contained in a comprehensive report researched and written by Applied Market Data. Cytotoxic Drug Delivery: Therapeutics, Devices, Markets and Forecasts has been researched and written to provide market participants and stakeholders with a comprehensive analysis of the products, markets and competitors in this evolving market segment.

More information is available at www.appliedmarketdata.com

Source: Applied Market Data

About Applied Market Data

Applied Market Data is a technology consulting firm focused on the areas of technology strategy, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist technology companies in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis. Our market research publications are designed, researched and written to provide timely and insightful information and data on focused market segments, with the aim of providing market participants with the essential knowledge to refine and execute their marketing plans and achieve their financial targets.

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