Developing evidence-based standards for the administration of oral anticancer medicines

Abstract

Cancer treatments have undergone a paradigm shift with the development and rapid growth of the use of oral anti-cancer treatment, particularly within the past ten years. Responsibility for administration of oral anti-cancer medicines has largely been devolved from the oncology team to the patient and their caregivers. However, there are longstanding safety concerns about people receiving oral anti-cancer medicines, therefore patient management and safety is of paramount importance. The authors reviewed the evidence and guidelines on administration of oral anti-cancer medicines, which encompasses patient management, then formulated new standards for clinical practice, which are reported in the article.