Frequently Asked Questions

The average veterinary practice has over two hundred hazardous drugs in inventory at any given time, including chemotherapy drugs. Veterinarians face the risk of direct exposure to these antineoplastic drugs. This exposure can put veterinary clinic staff, animal owners and anyone who comes into the practice at risk. Repeat exposure to hazardous drugs has been shown to lead to adverse health effects including increased risk of developing certain types of cancers. As a closed, safe drug delivery solution, Chemfort^® enables veterinarians to reduce exposure risk when handling cytotoxic drugs.

To ensure safe practice and reduce exposure, guidelines and regulations have been issued by professional associations including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These guidelines include recommendations for the use of Closed System Drug-Transfer Devices (CSTDs) like Chemfort^® in combination with personal protective equipment (PPE), proper staff training, and appropriate waste management procedures. The guidelines are intended to protect the health of the animals being treated and the healthcare professionals involved in their care.

Unlike chemotherapy treatment in human medicine, veterinarians who provide oncology services are involved in all stages of chemotherapy treatment – this includes compounding cytotoxic drugs, transporting them administration and drug disposal. Exposure to hazardous drugs can occur at any of these stages. It can also occur while cleaning spills or touching contaminated surfaces. Contact with hazardous drugs can happen through contact with bedding, cages or animal waste. As a result, veterinarians should be aware of the risks of occupational hazardous drug exposure, and equipment available to handle hazardous drugs safely.

Chemfort^® provides an end-to-end complete portfolio of closed drug administration products. The Chemfort^® product family demonstrates scientifically validated performance to protect veterinarians, veterinary clinic staff, as well as animal owners from exposure to antineoplastic drugs. When using Chemfort®, veterinarians can ensure a safe, closed connection that reduces the risk of exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs at every stage from preparation and compounding through to administration and disposal.

To minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs, veterinary practices should implement comprehensive safety protocols. This includes establishing appropriate facilities and equipment, providing specialized training to staff, and enforcing strict adherence to safety guidelines. Key precautions include the use of proper PPE (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection), engineering controls (e.g., ventilation systems), safe handling and disposal practices. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians should also receive proper training on safely handling, preparing, administering, and disposing of hazardous drugs.

Simplivia’s Chemfort^® CSTD product line is empowered by the unique Toxi-Guard^® patented air-cleaning technology. Toxi-Guard^® is Simplivia's patented air-cleaning technology. This unique technology located inside the Chemfort^® Vial Adaptor is a patented double membrane system. It is comprised of two layers: one is an activated carbon matrix, which functions as a hazardous drug adsorbant, and the second layer is a 0.2 micron hydrophobic and oleophobic membrane which functions as a sterile barrier for external air. Due to these Toxi-Guard^® characteristics, the Chemfort^® Closed System Transfer Device (CSTD) keeps the user safe while working with hazardous drugs, and keeps the drug sterile.