Chemotherapeutic Agent Preparation
Anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs are often carcinogenic and must be handled safely. Leaks and pharmacist exposure to the drug solution are to be avoided. Therefore, special devices and procedures are used for reconstituting these products. The procedure should be done in a vertical laminar flow hood to prevent any anticancer drug from blowing onto the face or skin of the pharmacist.
One such device to prevent leaks is the chemo dispensing pin. This device replaces the needle during the reconstitution process.
Here the pin is shown in a blister package.
Chemotherapeutic antineoplastic drugs are highly reactive and often lyophilized to obtain a reasonable product shelf life.
The chemo dispensing pin is really a vented spike needle. Here the filter is shown at the top. The filter should remain at the top during the reconstitution process.
An small volume intravenous solution, the drug, dispensing pin, syringes, needles, chemo pad to control spills and sterile wipes are needed for the procedure.
The vial is opened, wiped with a sterile alcohol pad, the spike cover removed and the dispensing pin is inserted into the chemo vial.