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[Two Cases at Community Pharmacies of Mercaptopurine Removal from a Disk-type Powder-packaging Machine by Wiping It

Wakana Yoshida1, Sakae Saito2, Magoichi Sako3

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Research and Education Center for Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
|July 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mercaptopurine (6-MP) powder requires careful handling during dispensing. A specific wipe-cleaning protocol involving water and dry wiping effectively removes residual 6-MP from packaging machines, ensuring drug safety.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Occupational Safety and Health

Background:

  • Leukerin® powder 10% (mercaptopurine, 6-MP) is an oral anticancer drug requiring stringent handling protocols.
  • Powder formulations pose risks of airborne exposure and cross-contamination during pharmaceutical dispensing and packaging.

Observation:

  • Scattered 6-MP powder can be effectively removed by repeated water wiping.
  • A specific wipe-cleaning procedure (two water wipes followed by one dry wipe) successfully removed adhered 6-MP from disk-type powder-packaging machines in simulated and real-world pharmacy settings.
  • Residual 6-MP was detected in areas not subjected to the recommended cleaning protocol or those cleaned only with water.

Findings:

  • Repeated water wiping effectively removes mercaptopurine (6-MP) powder.
  • A combination of water and dry wiping is crucial for complete decontamination of packaging equipment.
  • Thorough cleaning of all machine parts is essential to prevent residual contamination.

Implications:

  • The findings provide a validated cleaning protocol to enhance safety during the dispensing of mercaptopurine.
  • Implementing this protocol minimizes occupational exposure risks for healthcare professionals.
  • Ensuring complete removal of 6-MP prevents cross-contamination, safeguarding patient medication integrity.
Keywords:
cleaning methoddisk-type powder-packaging machinehazardous drugmercaptopurine hydrate powderoccupational exposure

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