06.11.2015.
A new chapter for pharmacy
At the Department for Pharmaceutical Technology of the Sector for Pharmacy of the Military Medical Academy, work has begun on centralized preparation of cytotoxic therapy at the Laboratory for the preparation of cytological drugs. A novelty in the Department for Pharmacy has a development perspective, and in the future, a preparation of other types of therapy is planned, primarily of biological medicine.
Multiple benefits
Organized preparation of cytotoxic therapy is a unique practice of its kind in Serbia. Patients are ensured an efficient, stable and safe drug, and staff safety level of work according to the highest standards. An important segment is the economic savings, because the dosage preparation of therapy does not produce surpluses, and waste is disposed of according to procedures safest for environmental protection.
According to Colonel Prof. dr. Zoran Segrt, representative of the Chief of the Military Medical Academy, the importance of open unit for the preparation of cytotoxic therapy is undoubtedly great.- From now on, have the opportunity to prepare in one place all cytotoxic therapies for patients who are being treated for malignant diseases at the Military Medical Academy, and clear and precise dosing for each patient individually. It should be noted that it largely protects those who prepare the therapy (pharmacists) and apply it to patients (medical personnel), as well as patients using the therapy - the representative of the Chief of the Military Medical Academy said and added that the novelty introduced will significantly decrease the amount of cytotoxic waste, thereby protecting the environment.
The treatment is very specific and preparation means that for each patient it will be clearly and precisely dosed, according to the disease or its characteristics. Thanks to this way of therapy application, a considerable amount of financial resources will be saved annually, and economic benefit is expected. According to the latest data, on a daily basis there is a need to prepare the therapy for about 120 cancer patients, and it is estimated that about 24,000 therapies will be prepared annually.
Safety is primary
The new laboratory provides preparation of precise therapy for the patient and a safe space has been provided for pharmacists that prepare the therapy. Residues released during the preparation of cytotoxic therapy, which could jeopardize those preparing the therapy, are completely eliminated. There are no residues from the preparation of the therapy, that is, there are none on the exterior walls of bottles or bags. To open Head of the Department for Pharmacy Prof. dr. Mirjana Antunovic stressed that a new chapter in the scope of work of pharmacists in the Department for Pharmacy of MMA has been opened.
- The new pharmaceutical role includes centralized preparation of cytotoxic therapy for all patients who need oncology treatment in MMA clinics. The patient receives individually prepared treatment according to all protocols and standards regarding medical work – they are treated according to international protocols, and the pharmaceutical part - the therapy is prepared according to all world standards that regulate this field very strictly. This means that the treatment is prepared in a closed system, and the pharmacist must preserve the quality of the medicine with his work – dr. Antunovic said.
Head of the Department for Pharmacy explains that, if we follow world trends in safety, cytotoxic waste generated during the process of preparing and applying therapy is deposited in specially designed packaging for it, and then properly destroyed.
- The plan is to introduce and prepare biological therapy that is no less risky, and brings big savings. Initially, we will take care of all cancer patients who come, and then we will eventually develop what is in the pharmaceutical world the standard for other therapies – dr. Antunovic said.
Sanja ANDJELKOVIC
