Reusing cytostatics in a centralised pharmacy preparation unit

Farm Hosp. 2011 Mar-Apr;35(2):70-4. doi: 10.1016/j.farma.2009.12.012. Epub 2010 Dec 24.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To measure and provide an economic assessment of the preparations returned to a centralised cytostatic drug preparation unit, analyse reasons for their return, propose measures for minimising returns and assess their impact on the Medical Oncology division's outpatient services.

Methods: This prospective study contained two phases. During the first, we registered all returns, motives, cases of reuse and costs. In the second phase, we analysed returns at the Oncology outpatient division after having adopted measures to minimise the returns.

Results: During the first phase, 218 preparations (worth € 51,131) were returned. The Oncology Day Hospital returned 1% of the preparations worth 1% of the total value; during the second phase, these figures were 0.56% of the preparations and 0.14% of the total value.

Conclusions: Favouring reporting on and identifying expensive treatments with little stability and using returned preparations as a quality indicator for Oncology has improved management of the central cystostatic preparation unit.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / economics
  • Centralized Hospital Services / economics
  • Centralized Hospital Services / organization & administration*
  • Cytostatic Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Cytostatic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Cytostatic Agents* / economics
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Compounding / economics
  • Drug Costs
  • Drug Stability
  • Drug Utilization
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / prevention & control
  • Hospitals, University / economics
  • Hospitals, University / organization & administration
  • Hospitals, University / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Medication Errors
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Oncology Service, Hospital / economics
  • Oncology Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pharmacy Service, Hospital / economics
  • Pharmacy Service, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spain

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytostatic Agents
  • Drug Combinations