Improving Healthcare at Every Level : How EU Guidance on Hazardous Medicinal Products and IOM Expertise Support Safer, Compliant, and Sustainable Healthcare
Healthcare organisations are facing mounting pressures to deliver safe, high-quality care, maintain operational resilience, and meet sustainability targets amid complex regulations and estate challenges. If your business handles medicinal products, you need to be aware of the potential risks to your workers.
While medicinal products can be beneficial for treating patients, they also carry risks, particularly for workers who may come into contact with these on a regular basis. These hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) can lead to cancer and other health hazards, as defined under the European Directive 2004/37/ EC (the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive). In the UK, these HMPs are subject to the regulation for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) has contributed our expertise to developing the Guidance for the Safe Management of Hazardous Medicinal Products at Work for Healthcare Management Professionals. This provides a clear framework with consistent standards and practical tools designed to identify hazards, assess and manage exposure and risks, improve performance, and respond to everyday issues with regards to HMPs along all stages of the life cycle of these products, from manufacture through use to disposal. If your workplace handles any HMPs, you should consult this guidance. IOM can help you assess your risks and manage them according to best practice. This can range from setting exposure limits to HMPs to assessing potential exposure to staff, and ensuring the appropriate controls are in place.
IOM: A Trusted Partner for UK Hospitals and Trusts
IOM works alongside hospitals and Trusts across the UK to create environments that are safe, compliant, and efficient. By addressing the root causes of ill health or non-compliance, we reduce operational disruption, prevent repeated costs, and support long-term resilience.
Aligned with EU HMP principles, IOM delivers integrated, evidence-based services that keep healthcare environments operational. Our expertise spans HTM-03-01, HBNs, COSHH, ventilation system testing, microbiological monitoring, and exposure assessment, helping healthcare organisations meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
Our core services include:
- Laboratory and hazard services – Risk assessments and compliance support for asbestos, dusts, metals, and microbiological contaminants
- Ventilation and engineering assurance – Verification and validation of critical systems, including LEV and electro-surgical equipment, alongside strategic ventilation improvements
- Workplace protection – Exposure monitoring and COSHH assessments delivered by qualified occupational hygienists
- Authorising Engineer services – Appointment support, compliance audits, and strategic oversight
Supporting a Sustainable, Productive Future
IOM shares the NHS’s ambition for a productive, low-carbon healthcare system. Our organisational commitments include:
- Net Zero by 2030 – Implementing policies and best practices to reduce environmental impact
- Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals – Contributing to at least seven key UNSDGs
- Mitigating future challenges – Researching emerging hazards, from air quality to chemical management, and sharing knowledge across the sector
This approach informs all aspects of our work from ventilation strategy to exposure monitoring helping organisations meet compliance, safety, and sustainability goals efficiently.
Building a Stronger, Safer Healthcare System
Effective healthcare improvement requires collaboration, and evidence. The EU HMP guidance provides a shared foundation, and IOM helps hospitals and Trusts put these principles into practice. With a science-led, people-focused approach, IOM supports organisations in:
- Strengthening compliance
- Enhancing staff and patient safety
- Delivering sustainable, resilient healthcare
Get in Touch
To learn more about the EU HMP guidance, explore IOM’s services, or speak with our specialists, contact IOM today. We are here to help you build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable healthcare environment.