{"id":8046,"date":"2024-08-05T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T08:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eu.bd.com\/iv-news\/?p=8046"},"modified":"2024-07-17T14:31:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T12:31:57","slug":"safe-handling-of-hazardous-drugs-applying-the-cmrd-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eu.bd.com\/iv-news\/events-training\/safe-handling-of-hazardous-drugs-applying-the-cmrd-in-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe handling of hazardous drugs: applying the CMRD in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Exposure to a hazardous drug (HD) or hazardous medicinal product (HMP) can occur to any worker involved in any stage of the chemical\u2019s lifecycle \u2013 from manufacturing and delivery, to patient administration and medication disposal.1<\/sup> While there is a greater awareness of the risks of HDs in professions such as pharmacy and nursing, during other stages of the chemical\u2019s life cycle, worker awareness of potential dangers is lacking.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

EU CMRD and guidance on the safe handling of hazardous drugs<\/h2>\n

In 2022, the European Union (EU) Directive 2022\/431 for the handling of carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances at work (CMRD) amended EU Directive 2004\/37\/EC (CMD) to include HDs and reprotoxic substances.2 <\/sup>The deadline for transposing the CMRD into national law in all EU member states, including Ireland, was 5 April 2024.2<\/sup> With an estimated 12.7 million workers across the EU risking HD exposure, the implications of the changes to the directive merit scrutiny.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

The European Commission has until 5 April 2025 to release an indicative list of HDs that are considered carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances (CMRs).3<\/sup> To get users ready, the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) drew up a list of 121 HDs that fall within the scope of the CMRD.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

In 2023, the European Commission published the \u2018Guidance for the safe management of hazardous medicinal products at work\u2019 in support of the CMRD.4<\/sup> Aimed at workers who may be handling or exposed to HDs, the objectives of this document are to raise awareness on the risk of exposure to HDs, and encourage safe handling.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Ireland prioritises hazardous drug safety<\/h2>\n

On 30 January 2024, Irish organisations responded to the CMRD with an educational summit hosted by F\u00f3rsa<\/a>, the European Biosafety Network (EBN)<\/a>, the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI)<\/a> and the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT) Ireland<\/a>.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

The joint summit was called to discuss the implications of the CMRD to Irish employers and employees.1<\/sup> Attendees were drawn, among others, from the spectrum of Irish health and social care, including hospital pharmacists, oncology nurses and occupational health specialists.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

With more than 85,000 members, F\u00f3rsa is the largest public service trade union in Ireland.5<\/sup> This trade union is made up of six branches, including the health and welfare branch.5<\/sup> Since 2010, the EBN has been committed to improving healthcare worker safety and preventing the occupational exposure to HDs across the EU.6<\/sup><\/p>\n

As part of F\u00f3rsa, the HPAI is a voluntary organisation for Irish hospital pharmacists.7<\/sup> F\u00f3rsa represents them and negotiates their pay and employment conditions.7<\/sup>\u00a0 The NAHPT is Ireland\u2019s voluntary association of hospital pharmacy technicians and was founded in 1997.8<\/sup> One of its objectives is to share best practices.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

\u201cWorryingly the results [of a survey of Irish workers conducted by EBN from January to July 2023] [\u2026] show a lack of awareness about the issue [of exposure to HDs] and low levels of risk assessments undertaken, coupled with insufficient training and a lack of preventive measures and surveillance of contamination,\u201d said Ian Lindsley, Secretary of the EBN.1,9<\/sup><\/p>\n

Next steps for Ireland<\/h2>\n

Following presentations and discussions, the summit delegates concluded that the current \u2018Guideline on the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs,\u2019 put out by the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2022, has not yet been updated to include the CMRD requirements for the safe handling of hazardous drugs.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Consequently, F\u00f3rsa, the EBN, HPAI and NAHPT strongly urged:1<\/sup><\/h3>\n