On Tuesday 30 January, 10am-3pm, Fórsa and the European Biosafety Network (EBN), in association with the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland and the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians, are hosting a one-day Joint Summit in Dublin. The summit will look at the practical aspects of preventing occupational exposure of healthcare workers and professionals to hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) and will take place at Fórsa’s office, Nerney’s Court, Dublin, D01 R2C5.
Exposure to HMPs or hazardous drugs, often used to treat cancer, viruses, chronic inflammatory and other life-threatening conditions, can happen anywhere from manufacture to preparation, administration and disposal, and can cause health impacts from headaches and hair loss to miscarriages and cancer.
The Summit will set out the practical measures for healthcare workers to protect themselves from these health problems, inform best practice and disseminate information amongst workers and employers in Ireland. The Summit will end with a call for action to raise awareness of the problem of occupational exposure and the solution of preventative measures and the implementation in Ireland of new and existing guidance and legislation.
The Summit is free to attend, however places are limited. Participants can book a place via Eventbrite here. Please note: participants will need to meet their own travel and other costs.
Joint Summit Programme Overview
Registration, with refreshments, will commence at 9.30am in Fórsa Head Office. The Joint Summit will formally start at 10am with a keynote speech from a senior Irish official. EU experts will set out new European legislation, including the new EU list of HMPs and new EU guidance on safe handling of HMPs. Panels will debate the practical implementation of this new EU guidance and the transposition of EU legislation in Ireland by April 2024.
The joint summit will also hear the results of a survey of Irish healthcare workers and professionals conducted by the EBN on the safe handling of HMPs. This will be followed by a presentation of a case study of best practice in handling HMPs and a final panel will look at what the upcoming changes to Irish legislation and guidance means in practice for healthcare workers and professionals.
If you have any questions in relation to this invitation, please email Ian Lindsley at ian.lindsley@europeanbiosafetynetwork.eu.
