Aim To evaluate a gravimetric method for the quali-quantitative control of anticancer drugs.

Method We initially defined the weight of 1 mL of each cytotoxic drug. After calculation of the bag tare weight, a technician injected the prescribed volume of the drug into the bag. Another operator calculated the net weight of the preparation using the previously defined weight of 1 mL and the volume of the preparation. The evaluation period ran from 29 November 2012 until 28 February 2013.

Results and Discussion We evaluated 2372 preparations out of 4186 prescribed (56.2%): 94.8% of these samples were immediately accepted, 4.5% were evaluated by the pharmacist and only 0.8% were rejected. These results allow us to hypothesise that the level of accuracy of the uncontrolled bag is also acceptable and not significantly relevant for the clinical effectiveness of the anticancer drugs.

Conclusion Anticancer drugs must be prepared using rigorous procedures: the gravimetric method can identify in real time preparations that could be harmful. In our opinion, the gravimetric method is a valid and simple procedure to improve internal quality control in chemotherapy.