Potent compound safety in the laboratory

摘要

Pharmaceutical compounds that can elicit health effects at low levels have been known for many years and include materials such as steroid hormones, opioids, peptide hormones, anti-cancer compounds, and prostaglandins. As pharmacological selectivity has increased within the pharmaceutical industry, therapeutic compounds have become more potent over time. Accordingly, there has been a corresponding increase in the occupational health risk associated with research and development of these increasingly potent drug entities. This article is intended to assist in providing a summary description of safe work practices, facility and process design, exposure controls, and associated equipment considerations when working with potent pharmaceutical compounds in the laboratory.