Clinical Pharmacology & Biopharmaceutics
Open Access

Abstract

Healthcare workers are exposed to chemotherapy during preparation and administration of hazardous drugs including chemotherapy. This has been an ongoing concern for years in the healthcare industry. Various studies showing contamination in preparation area, long-term chromosomal abnormalities, biological marker changes in workers, long-term effects on reproduction, hair loss, rashes, miscarriages and birth defects and cancers due to chemotherapy exposure make this concern legitimate. There are guidelines for safe handling of both intravenous and oral chemotherapy from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which all discuss how to prepare, handle and administer chemotherapy safely.

Biography

Sonia Amin Thomas (formerly Sonia Patel) is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacist. Her main focus in teaching is oncology (therapeutics) along with other courses at PCOM in Suwanee, GA and conducting an oncology practice site at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, GA. She attended the University of Georgia for her Undergraduate coursework from 2004-2007 and then proceeded to complete her PharmD at South University School of Pharmacy from 2007-2010. Dr. Thomas completed a Post-Graduate year 1 general Pharmacy Practice Residency in Columbus, GA and received training through Post-Graduate year 2 oncology residency in Detroit, MI.

Email: soniapa@pcom.edu