OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS: IMPACTS ON THE HEALTH OF PHARMACEUTICAL PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Antineoplastic therapy is one of the main pillars of cancer treatment and is widely used in hospitals and oncology clinics. However, these drugs exhibit cytotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic properties, posing risks to professionals involved in their preparation, handling, and disposal. In this context, pharmacists are susceptible to occupational exposure, making preventive measures essential. This study aimed to analyze the health impacts of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs among pharmacists, identifying exposure routes, potential health hazards, and applicable biosafety measures. This is a descriptive literature review with a qualitative approach, conducted through searches for articles published between 2020 and 2026 in the SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS databases, using descriptors related to antineoplastic drugs, occupational exposure, biosafety, and occupational health. The results revealed an association between exposure to these drugs and genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, reproductive alterations, cellular damage, and potential systemic toxicity. The drugs highlighted included cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and epirubicin. It is concluded that occupational exposure represents a significant health risk for pharmacists, requiring appropriate personal protective equipment, continuous training, and strict compliance with biosafety protocols to prevent adverse health effects and promote worker safety.