On 22nd May 2025 the EBN presented at the OncoSafe Conference in Romanian Parliament, Bucharest. This was an educational conference dedicated to improving safety practices in the handling and administration of cytostatics, cytotoxics and other CMR hazardous substances collectively known as Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs). The event brought together healthcare professionals, industry experts and researchers to discuss the latest guidelines and principles on safe handling of HMPs, and to share best practices and explore innovative solutions.

HMPs are often used in chemotherapy to treat cancer, these drugs are harmful themselves and healthcare workers which deliver these treatments are occupationally exposed to these drugs, often without knowing the risk and danger they are exposing themselves to. Exposure to HMPs can cause headaches, nausea, and hair loss, with more severe symptoms including infertility and cancer. Healthcare workers across Europe handling HMPs must be sufficiently protected from HMP exposure, which is what the experts present at this conference called for. There are many ways to achieve this, but holistically HMPs must be manufactured, handled, administered and disposed of in a closed system, which minimizes any exposure of the drug to the external environment.

Set against the backdrop of the impressive Romanian Parliament building, famed to be the heaviest building in the world, the EBN presented for an hour to the room of experts. The presentation covered a range of topics, starting with the latest definition of HMPs and their inclusion in the EU’s Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxins Directive (CMRD) and what this means for healthcare professionals handling HMPs at work. The presentation considered the hierarchy of controls as defined in the CMRD, the requirements for the use of closed systems, and what this looks like in practice in healthcare settings.

The presentation also looked at automation and robotics in compounding and the improvements in safety which modern technology is providing by further limiting exposure to HMPs.

Among the key subjects covered by the expert presentations included:

  • Safe handling, preparation, administration and disposal of cytostatics
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Best practices regarding professional protective equipment – PPE
  • Best practices for cleaning, decontamination, disinfection and neutralisation of surfaces and rooms where HMPs are handled
  • Updating regulations and compliances in the field of HMP safety
  • Digitalisation in hospitals and hospital pharmacies

Professionals from hospitals in Romania and across Europe had the opportunity to share their expertise on the safe handling of HMPs and to learn about the latest innovations and procedures put into practice to increase the safety of patients and medical staff.

Expert speakers included:

  • Prof. Dr. Adrian Streinu-Cercel, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Romania
  • Dr Paul Sessink, President of Exposure Control
  • Josh Cobb, Secretary of European Biosafety Network
  • Prof. Univ. Dr. Pharm. Doina Draganescu, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy UMFCD
  • Eng. Alexandra Lazar, General Manager Docviser SA
  • Farm. Fr. Ioan Antofie, President of SNFR
  • Dr. Pharm. Nagwa Ibrahim