Which type of medication handling requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Antineoplastic medication handling requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the hazardous nature of these drugs. Antineoplastic agents, commonly used in cancer treatment, are known to have cytotoxic effects, meaning they can cause harm to normal cells as well as cancerous cells. Consequently, exposure to these agents can lead to severe health risks for healthcare professionals, including skin absorption and inhalation hazards.

PPE such as gloves, gowns, face shields, and respiratory protection are necessary to create a barrier against potential exposure during the handling, preparation, administration, and disposal of antineoplastic medications. These precautions are in line with safety protocols to safeguard the health of pharmacy technicians and other healthcare workers.

While antifungal, antibacterial, and antiretroviral medications may have specific handling guidelines and may require some level of protection, they do not typically pose the same level of hazard as antineoplastic drugs, hence the necessity for stringent PPE when dealing with them.