cytotoxic drugs are essential in the treatment of cancer but their mutagenic and teratogenic potential poses a serious health risk to people involved in manufacture and preparation for use. several studies have demonstrated that the vial exterior can carry residues of the cytotoxic drug it contains1,2,3 and that healthcare professionals handling these vials may be exposed to the drug on the vial, or subsequently contaminated work surfaces4 . outer vial surface contamination can occur even when strict high quality manufacturing processes are in place.
