Anticancer drug waste minimization and cost-saving study by using a closed-system transfer device for chemotherapy compounding.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need for an economic evaluation of the use of closed system (CSTD) in chemotherapy compounding, especially in resource-constrained settings. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the cost saving of the management of cancer drug leftovers before and after introduction of CSTD associated with an extension of the beyond-use date (BUD) of cancer vials. A secondary objective was to estimate the level of minimization of drug wastage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center study with two periods of two months each. The cost of drugs saved by using conventional systems (syringe and needle) without a closed system in the first period was compared to the cost of drugs saved by using the CSTD Chemoclave® system in the second period. The drug waste minimization rate compared actual drug waste to potential waste in Period 2. RESULTS: In Period 1, the amount of drug saved accounted for an average of 10.3% of the amount used in milligrams and the amount of drug wasted accounted for an average of 18.7%. In period 2, these proportions were 15.2% and 6.4% respectively. The CSTD generated an extra cost of 11,962.5 USD compared to the conventional system. The drug saved cost related only to the CSTD and the acquisition cost of the CSTD was a deficit of -7,444.95 USD and the cost saved from the compounding (CSTD and syringes) was a gain of 1,722.01 USD. The waste minimization represented an average of 72.5% ± 24.4% of potential waste. CONCLUSION: The use of CSTD to extend the BUD allowed to reduce waste due to microbiological instability without adding an economic profit.

Evaluation of anti-infectives prescriptions in a pediatric hemato-oncological center: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: A few years after the discovery and development of anti-infectives, this therapeutic feat gave way to bacterial resistance because of the overconsumption of antibiotics, most often with unjustified prescriptions. The objective was to evaluate the compliance of the prescription of antibiotherapy in the pediatric onco-hematology unit of Rabat Children's Hospital and to determine the drug interactions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of anti-infectives prescriptions in pediatric onco-hematology. All prescriptions containing an antibiotic or antimycotic were isolated at the end of each month for analysis according to the ANSM standard. The variables of compliance analyzed in the prescriptions were: form, indication, posology, duration of the treatment, drug interactions and number of antibiotics which were prescribed. RESULTS: The prescriptions containing at least one anti-infective were 195. All the prescriptions were in conformity with their indications; 111 (57%) of the cases were conform with respect to all criteria; 20 (12%) prescriptions were not conform in their form, 12 (6.6%) contained at least one over-dosed drug and 52 (26.7%) contained at least one under-dosed drug. A drug interaction was found in 15 (7.7%) of cases, of which 12 (6.2%) are precautions for use. A drug interaction is present in 1(6,7%) cases when a single antibiotic is prescribed against 3 (20%) cases when 4 antibiotics are prescribed. (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The number of non-compliances in our study was high. It would therefore be advisable to recommend the establishment of an information system to minimize the non-compliances and to ensure a training program for young doctors on international recommendations.