Can a Laminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW) or compounding aseptic isolator (CAI) be used for compounding a non-antineoplastic hazardous drug (HD)?

The correct choice acknowledges that while a Laminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW) or compounding aseptic isolator (CAI) can be utilized for compounding non-antineoplastic hazardous drugs (HD), it requires additional safety measures to ensure proper containment and worker safety. Under USP 800 standards, hazardous drugs, regardless of their classification as antineoplastic or non-antineoplastic, necessitate specific handling procedures due to their potential to cause harm.

Using a LAFW or CAI for non-antineoplastic hazardous drugs implies that the pharmacy must have determined and implemented alternative containment strategies to protect staff and prevent contamination. This is essential since hazardous drugs can still pose risks such as reproductive toxicity or organ toxicity even if they aren’t classified as antineoplastic.

While it is essential to handle non-antineoplastic hazardous drugs with appropriate safety measures, the flexibility in using LAFWs and CAIs demonstrates that compounding can occur, provided the necessary precautions are in place. This can include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), closed-system drug transfer devices (CSTDs), or even specific engineering controls to minimize exposure risk.