ABSTRACT
Objective: In late 1970s, occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents was reported. Various countries, including Japan, have published guidelines for handling antineoplastic agents. Surveys are still being conducted to determine the levels of environmental exposure to antineoplastic agents at individual hospitals, and incidents of contamination are often reported. This study provides details regarding a literature survey conducted to evaluate the actual state of environmental contamination by antineoplastic agents and identify the related issues in order to promote environmental monitoring.Methods: The literature search was carried out from January 1, 1990 to July 31, 2017. PubMed and Ichushi-Web were searched with the following keywords: “antineoplastic agents,” “occupational exposure,” “surface contamination,” and “environmental monitoring.”Results: Following the literature search, 117 papers were included in the analysis. The findings showed that contamination by antineoplastic agents was widely reported in hospitals and places where antineoplastic drugs were not handled. The findings of this study regarding the actual state of environmental exposure are partial, as there is a lack of information on retail pharmacies and homes of outpatients who have received chemotherapy.Discussion: Therefore, further investigation is warranted. In addition, according to the current Japanese guidelines, published in 2015, environmental surveillance is not required to reduce contamination by antineoplastic agents. To promote environmental monitoring, we feel that it is necessary to determine a new survey method and the clarify optimum interval of environmental monitoring.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective:</b> Beginning in October 2014 a drug risk management plan (RMP) will be authorized as a condition for drug approval and for this and other reasons the role the medical representatives (MRs) play regarding drug information will become even greater. We therefore decided to conduct drug information awareness surveys of the MRs who visit our hospital.<br><b>Methods:</b> We first conducted a questionnaire survey on RMP, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and postmarketing surveillance (PMS). Following the survey we held a seminar for MRs in relation to RMPs, after which we conducted a questionnaire again.<br><b>Results:</b> The surveys revealed that most of the MRs were not actively gathering information provided by the PMDA. They also revealed that after the seminar their knowledge regarding RMPs had increased and their understanding of the relationship between RMPs and PMS had deepened.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> Considering that the MRs gained a significantly deeper understanding after the seminar, participation by medical institutions, which are the recipients of the information, in the education of MRs can be said to be meaningful as a means of supporting proper information‐providing activities.