Practical implications in shelf-life extension of anticancer admixtures

Abstract

A poster presentation regarding practical implications in shelf-life extension of anticancer admixtures. Introduction: Throughout the years, cytotoxic compounding units in Malta have registered an exponential rise in the number of anticancer parenteral doses prepared annually. An upsurge from 6,231 in 2001 to 22,366 in 2014 was recorded for the total number of compounded sterile preparations (CSPs), at two national cancer care centres. Such trends are universal and have driven oncology treatment hubs worldwide to devise novel approaches in the compounding process to maximise drug utilisation and enhance efficiency. Units in Malta are assigned a 24-hour restrictive shelf-life for anticancer admixtures, resulting in economic loss due to wastage of partly used vials. Extending stability timeframes with the use of special access devices enables the advanced preparation of anticancer parenteral doses. Aims:  To perform cost analyses of captured and retrospective cytotoxic waste data.  To determine the economic impact of drug losses and identify plausible agents for shelf-life extension as a waste minimisation strategy.  To estimate potential cost savings for the proposed advanced grouped preparation using the top drug contributor to the wastage sum as a case study.  To consult literature and quality assurance (QA) pharmacists regarding the risks and benefits associated with compounding methods that employ a shelf-life extension approach.