Checklist for chemotherapy preparation at hospital pharmacies: A structured tool for a safer practice

The handling of antineoplastic drugs represents a significant risk for pharmacy professionals, including reproductive toxicity and occupational cancer. This study aimed to develop a checklist of procedures that promote safety and reduce occupational risk during the preparation of chemotherapy in Portuguese Hospital Pharmacies. The checklist was built based on international guidelines, and a national survey was conducted between May and October 2024 among Pharmacy Technicians who handled antineoplastic drugs. A total of 110 responses were obtained. Initially composed of 44 items, the checklist was adjusted to 48 after critical analysis by the participants. Most of the items had high levels of agreement, and the questionnaire showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.914). The results highlight the lack of standardized procedures in several institutions, underscoring the urgent need for validated tools to promote safety in chemotherapy preparation. The developed checklist showed high reliability and acceptance among professionals. Its implementation could reduce occupational risks and improve safer practices in hospital pharmaceutical services.