Buyers Guide: Chemotherapy Gloves — Meeting Safety and Supply Demands

In oncology and pharmacy environments, selecting the right chemotherapy glove is not only a safety imperative but a compliance requirement. Professionals handling cytotoxic drugs face daily exposure risks, and hospitals must be confident that their PPE protocols meet the latest regulatory and performance standards. The procurement considerations behind selecting high-quality chemotherapy gloves are vital to meeting the required standards as a healthcare provider.  MAP Medical supports your supply chain with depth, value, and expertise across a wide range of medical products including our large selection of Chemotherapy gloves.

Compliance & Safety: ASTM D6978-05 (2019)

The cornerstone of chemotherapy glove selection is compliance with ASTM D6978-05 (2019). This international standard from the American Society for Testing and Materials outlines the test method used to assess glove resistance to chemotherapy drugs.

What the standard evaluates:

• Permeation resistance at 35 ±2°C for up to four hours
• Breakthrough threshold: ≤ 0.01 μg of drug per cm² of glove surface per minute
• Drug panel testing: Typically includes agents such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and carmustine

Gloves certified to this standard offer verified protection for clinical staff handling hazardous drugs — a key consideration for pharmacy cleanrooms, infusion centers, and compounding units.

Glove Materials: Performance & Application Fit

Experienced healthcare professionals understand that not all glove materials perform equally in high-risk drug-handling scenarios. Here’s how the leading materials compare:

Note: All gloves used with chemotherapy drugs should be powder-free, as powder can carry hazardous drug particles and increase contamination risk.

Procurement Considerations: Market Dynamics & Supply Assurance

With demand for chemotherapy gloves rising globally, procurement teams must balance safety requirements with logistics, cost, and availability. A global study published in The Lancet Oncology found that patients requiring first-line chemotherapy treatment each year is predicted to rise from 9.8 million to 15 million (53%) globally, with an expected increase in cancer physicians from 65,000 to 100,000 by 2040.

Current Landscape

The US has a strong domestic market for medical gloves, but it also remains dependent on imports. Alongside gloves manufactured in the USA, chemotherapy gloves are also commonly imported from manufacturers in China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Tariffs and trade policy shifts, such as those introduced under the Trump administration, have created volatility in sourcing and costs for imported goods. Stockpiling efforts by healthcare networks have increased baseline demand, leading to longer lead times during peak periods.

Emerging Trends

The chemotherapy glove market is changing as a result of global political and economic factors, manufacturing supply chain disruption, environmental concerns, and new technological innovations. The most interesting developments currently impacting the industry include: 

• Increased interest in US based manufacturing to reduce supply chain risk
• Growth in eco-conscious materials and low-residue formulations
• Ongoing R&D into glove formulations that resist a broader range of chemotherapy agents for longer durations

For buyers, aligning with a supplier who can ensure both quality and consistent inventory is now as critical as regulatory compliance. MAP Medical is able to offer a wide product range in every category, aligned with an expert national delivery network. By offering a large product line, MAP Medical is often able to leverage competitive pricing and varied supply chains that provide greater stability for medical facilities. 

The MAP Medical Advantage: Built for Hospital Supply Chains

At MAP Medical, we understand the operational pressures that hospital buyers and clinical procurement teams face. Our chemotherapy glove portfolio is designed to meet both frontline clinical needs and backend logistical demands.

Why Partner with MAP Medical?

• 270+ SKUs in the chemotherapy gloves category — comprehensive selection for all departments
• National distribution capabilities — fast, efficient delivery across the U.S.
• Competitive pricing models — aligned to help hospitals stay cost-effective under growing budget constraints
• Dedicated account management — personalized support to help your procurement team streamline glove sourcing and usage protocols

Our products meet or exceed ASTM D6978-05 and are available in nitrile, neoprene, polyurethane, and latex options. Gloves are tested, powder-free, and available in various sizes and thicknesses, with textured surfaces for enhanced grip and control.

MAP Medical can help hospitals manage inventory and plan for key considerations such as order volume, stock level management, delivery times, inspection routines and rotation based on shelf life and usage volume.

Safety, Compliance, and Confidence

In the high-stakes environment of chemotherapy drug handling, working with a trusted supplier matters. It affects compliance, staff safety, and patient outcomes. By selecting gloves that meet ASTM standards, are made from proven materials, and come from a supplier you trust, you're protecting both people and processes.

MAP Medical delivers the inventory depth and supply chain expertise you need to improve procurement efficiency and patient outcomes. Browse our chemotherapy glove range or contact us to find out more about how our team can provide personalized support for our customers.