Utility of PhaSeal, a closed‐system drug transfer device, in facilitating vial sharing to reduce waste and assist in medication cost savings

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe cost of cancer care is rising. With the soaring costs of cancer treatment, strategies to minimise medication wastage have become more important.AimThis study evaluated cost savings associated with a centralised pharmacy aseptic service using the closed‐system drug transfer device PhaSeal (Becton, Dickinson and Company, North Ryde, NSW, Australia) for the preparation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in a large teaching hospital.MethodsTwo scenarios for the preparation of mAb were evaluated retrospectively over a 24‐month period. All doses prepared by pharmacy in 2016 and 2017 were reviewed. In Scenario 1, costs were determined for mAb prepared by the centralised pharmacy aseptic service using PhaSeal. In Scenario 2, each individual dose was reviewed to determine the minimum number of vials that needed to be prepared, with any residual vial contents disposed of.ResultsIn all, 8291 preparations were reviewed. The medication costs savings over the 24‐month period was A$1 259 394. The cost of PhaSeal in the preparation of the 8291 items equates to A$207 275.ConclusionCentralising aseptic preparation of mAbs together with the utilisation of PhaSeal to allow vial sharing in a large teaching hospital resulted in savings of A$526 059 per year by significantly minimising medication wastage.