| Abstract (croatian) | Cytotoxic drugs (antineoplastic drugs) are highly active drugs
used in the chemotherapy of malignant diseases that cause
numerous and serious side effects during treatment. As the incidence of tumor
disease increases, the use of these drugs increases, especially in developed countries.
Croatia belongs to the countries with a medium incidence, but high mortality
from cancer, and it records a trend of increasing consumption of these
drugs. Although cytotoxic/antineoplastic drugs ·are used at lower doses compared
to other drugs, due to their nonselective action; they can cause various
mutagenic, genotoxic and reproductive damages. Studies have shown a risk of
diseases developing due to occupational exposure to cytotoxic/antineoplastic
drugs and during the research, especially under conditions of inadequate protection,
but also with the presence of cytotoxic drugs in various environmental
systems, with concentrations varying up to 2.12 x 10-4 mg/L in different types of
water. The toxic effect has been reported for aquatic organisms, and the question
of the harmful effect on the entire ecosystem and ultimately on humans is being
raised. The major sources of cytotoxic/antineoplastic drugs in the environment
come from healthcare institutions, hospitals, industry, houshold, but also research.
The patient who is the center of health professionals' care is also the holder
of environmental responsibility since he/she contributes to the waste that ends
up in the environment, either through excretion or through the improper disposal
of such waste. Pharmacists are important health care stakeholders who can
make a significant contribution in improving this problem because, based on
their education and activities, they can participate in public health campaigns,
change the public's awareness, educate the general population and the way they
relate to the problem in each of these environmental cytotoxic/antineoplastic
drugs sources. They can also foster green and sustainable pharmacy, innovation
and the application of in silico methods, all together to preserve health and the
environment. |
