Evaluation of the Utility of Vial Packaging to Reduce Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic Drugs in Preventing Breakages and Scattering

Abstract

The dropping of glass vials based on negligence or accidental events that occur during the preparation or mixing of injectable drugs are examples of instances of occupational exposures occurring in a clinical setting. To reduce such risks, several types of glass vial packaging have been developed. We herein compared the resistance of base- and cup-type packaged vials to breakage and scattering of contents during falls with control vials. The falling heights at which test products were dropped were set to 70, 135, and 180 cm. Compared with the control group, appearance changes were inhibited in the cup-type groups. Significant differences were found between the cup-type and control groups at heights of 135 and 180 cm. Next, resistance of packaging to spilling and scattering of solution from the vial was determined. There was no scattering in any types of vials at a height of 70 cm because they were not broken. However, at heights of 135 and 180 cm, the mean scattering distance in the control groups were 50 and 70.6 cm, respectively. At these heights, some vials in the base-type and cup-type group were also cracked, but the solution stayed completely inside the covering packaging, indicating an obvious antiscattering ability. Vials packed in cup- and base-type packaging would lower the risk of the exposure of hazardous drugs during vial breakages. Because the base-type packaging did not show significant antibreakage effects, the cup-type packaging is more suited for hazardous drug packaging. However, cup-type packaging requires equipment investments from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Thus, cost-effectiveness and the target drug profile should be evaluated, and the use of cup- and base-type packaging, as well as control, forms should be selected accordingly.