Austin, TX—Handling and disposing of oral cancer therapies can be hazardous, and certain protocols should be followed to reduce risks, according to Lisa Holle, PharmD, who spoke at the 11th annual Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) conference.

“Oral cancer therapies are very much like [intravenous] cancer therapies in that there is a risk of exposure; the type of exposure depends upon the qualities of the medication,” noted Dr Holle, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs. “Most oral cancer therapies are cytotoxic agents, but there are many other ways that drugs can be hazardous,” she added.

Carcinogenicity, teratogenicity (or other developmental toxicity) reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, and genotoxicity are other potentially hazardous drug properties. Drugs can also have structure and toxicity profiles that mimic existing hazardous properties, and can be toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive.

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