AI-Driven Optimisation of Chemotherapy Compounding: Reducing Wastage and Promoting Sustainability
Care Process & Redesign
Environmental Sustainability
Technology
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
11 February 2026
The project aims to develop AI-driven algorithms to optimize drug vial selection for robotic compounding, reducing cytotoxic. AI-Driven optimisation of cytotoxic drug compounding has huge potential to achieve greater cost-efficiency, enhancing operational.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 11 February 2026
Tags: Environmental Sustainability, Technology, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Pharmaceutical Waste, Artificial Intelligence, Cost Saving, Workflow Redesign, Quality Improvement, Productivity, Automation
About this Content
Aims
The project aims to develop AI-driven algorithms to optimize drug vial selection for robotic compounding, reducing cytotoxic drug wastage from unused portions in multi-dose vials. By integrating Dynamic Programming and Machine Learning models, the project seeks to enhance efficiency, minimize costs, and improve sustainability in chemotherapy preparation.
Background
AI is transforming healthcare by improving decision-making and increasing operational efficiency. There is a need for more efficient use of chemotherapy drugs and a more sustainable compounding process due to rising chemotherapy drug costs and needs.
Methods
The project extracted data on cytotoxic drug preparation from June 2021 to February 2022 at the Ambulatory Treatment unit in National Cancer Centre Singapore. A Proof-of-Concept calculator was developed using Microsoft Excel to assess chemotherapy wastage. The development of an algorithm-driven calculator using iterative Dynamic Programming was also part of the methodology.
Results
Between June 2021 and February 2022, a total of 52,748 chemotherapy preparations were made. The POC calculator recorded a total of 2,216,431 mg of drug wastage, costing S$ 2,047,949. The algorithm-driven calculator prototype was able to optimize the order list for zero wastage during the production stage.
Conclusion
AI-Driven optimisation of cytotoxic drug compounding has huge potential to achieve greater cost-efficiency, enhancing operational sustainability, and advancing the broader goals of green pharmacy.
Lessons Learnt
Key observations include that wastage in the preparation phase takes up a bigger proportion of chemotherapy wastage for most drugs, even with vial-sharing. Improper vial size is a key contributor to chemotherapy wastage.
Keywords
AI, cytotoxic, drug compounding, chemotherapy, sustainability, wastage
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | National Cancer Centre Singapore, National University of Singapore, OVEC Global |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Pharmacy |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Pharmacology |
Project Lead(s) | Lita Chew |
Project Member(s) | Peter Yap |
Connect with this contributor!
Lita Chew - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg