CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG PREPARATION FOR PHARMACYTECHNICIANS AND PHARMACISTS

A formal training program for technicians who prepare cytotoxic agents and pharmacists who check the doses is described. To handle an overwh elming workload in an oncology satellite pharmacy and to enable the ph armacists there to increase their clinical involvement, a program was developed to train technicians to prepare antineoplastic doses and pha rmacists to check the technicians' work. The program consists of two d ays of classroom instruction, three weeks of hands-on training, and a written examination. In addition to handling and preparation of antine oplastic drugs, other topics related to oncology are covered to give t he participants a better understanding of cancer and its treatment. Th e technicians must complete a refresher program annually. From 1991 to 1993, 15 pharmacists and 14 technicians and pharmacy students complet ed the program. The technicians have taken on additional responsibilit ies in the satellite pharmacy, including managing the inventory of onc ology drugs. Implementation of a comprehensive cancer chemotherapy tra ining class for technicians and pharmacists has benefited the pharmacy in terms of labor and inventory control.