Reusing cytostatics in a centralised pharmacy preparation unit.
OBJECTIVE
To measure and provide an economic assessment of the preparations returned to a centralised cytostatic drug preparation unit, analyse reasons for their return, propose measures for minimising returns and assess their impact on the Medical Oncology division's outpatient services.


METHODS
This prospective study contained two phases. During the first, we registered all returns, motives, cases of reuse and costs. In the second phase, we analysed returns at the Oncology outpatient division after having adopted measures to minimise the returns.


RESULTS
During the first phase, 218 preparations (worth € 51,131) were returned. The Oncology Day Hospital returned 1% of the preparations worth 1% of the total value; during the second phase, these figures were 0.56% of the preparations and 0.14% of the total value.


CONCLUSIONS
Favouring reporting on and identifying expensive treatments with little stability and using returned preparations as a quality indicator for Oncology has improved management of the central cystostatic preparation unit.
Ramos Linares
S
S
Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España. sramlin@gobienodecanarias.org
Merino Alonso
J
J
Román González
N
N
Tévar Alfonso
E
E
Díaz Ruíz
P
P
Gorchs Molist
M
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002497:Centralized Hospital Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054697:Cytostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D004355:Drug Stability; D004363:Drug Utilization; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D054697:Cytostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations