The guidance on the use of HMPs is presented in a simple and reader friendly way by using graphics, photos and special training documents. It is a non-binding document designed to be used by workers, employers, public authorities and safety experts.

HMPs are defined as medicinal products that contain one or more substances that meet the criteria for classification in accordance with Regulation (EC)No 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation). This includes medicinal products for both human and veterinary use.

• Carcinogenic (category 1A or 1B)
• Mutagenic (category 1A or 1B) or
• Toxic for reproduction (category 1A or 1B)

Why it is important to manage exposure to HMPs?

HMPs can cause unintended effects in workers that are exposed to them.

HMPs can cause carcinogenic mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) and other adverse effects.

Exposure can affect medical workers as well as cleaners and laundry workers, or waste workers, and the advice provided in the guide is tailored to the groups of workers potentially exposed.

The guide focuses on preventing and controlling risks from occupational exposure to HMPs and aims to:

• increase awareness among employers, employees and other stakeholders,
• increase the uptake of good practice,
• improve information flows across the lifecycle of HMPs,
• promote harmonisation between Member States and sectors, and
• provide a useful reference point for the development of training activities.

The potential methods of identification of HMPs include, for example:

• existing lists and databases,
• review of SDSs (where available) and/or summaries of product characteristics SmPCs/SPCs,
• labelling, and                                                           
• communication within the supply chain.

HMPs can be identified by inspecting the labels on the packaging. The CLP Regulation does not apply to finished medicinal products or finished veterinary medicinal products for the final user. However, a number of symbols for HMP labelling are in use. For cytotoxic medicines, the symbols are often purple or yellow and include a representation of a cell in telophase or a Yellow Hand.

A copy of the guidance for the safe management of hazardous medicinal products ‘’HMPs’’ at work can be found at the following link:

https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/guidance-safe-management-hazardous-medicinal-products-work