Oncology Pharmacy Research Articles

Evaluation of oncology infusion pharmacy practices: A nationwide survey.

Oncology care continues to evolve at a rapid pace including provision of infusion-based care. There is currently a lack of robust metrics around oncology infusion centers and pharmacy practice. The workgroup completed a nationwide survey to learn about oncology-based infusion pharmacy services offered. The objective was to highlight consistent, measureable oncology-based infusion pharmacy metrics that will provide a foundation to describe overall productivity including emphasis on high patient-safety standards. A nationwide survey was developed via a workgroup within the Vizient Pharmacy Cancer Care Group beginning in April 2019 and conducted electronically via the Vizient Pharmacy Network from September to November 2020. The survey was designed to capture a number of key metrics related to oncology-based infusion pharmacy services. Forty-one sites responded to the survey. Responses highlighted hours of operation (median = 11.5), number of infusion chairs (median = 45). Staffing metrics included 7.1 pharmacist full-time equivalent (FTE) and 7.6 technician FTE per week. 80.5% of sites had cleanrooms and 95.1% reported both hazardous and nonhazardous compounding hoods. 68.3% of sites reported using intravenous (IV) technology, 50.0% measured turnaround time, and 31.4% prepared treatment medications in advance. There was variability among oncology infusion pharmacy practices in regard to survey responses among sites. The survey results highlight the need for standardization of established productivity metrics across oncology infusion pharmacies in order to improve efficiency and contain costs in the changing oncology landscape. The survey provides insight into oncology infusion pharmacy practices nationwide and provides information for pharmacy leaders to help guide their practices.

Canadian monitoring program of the surface contamination with 11 antineoplastic drugs in 124 centers.

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs can lead to long-term adverse effects on workers' health. A reproducible Canadian surface monitoring program was established in 2010. The objective was to describe contamination with 11 antineoplastic drugs measured on 12 surfaces among hospitals participating in this annual monitoring program. Each hospital sampled six standardized sites in oncology pharmacies and six in outpatient clinics. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used for cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, irinotecan, methotrexate, paclitaxel, and vinorelbine. Platinum-based drugs were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; this excludes inorganic platinum from the environment. Hospitals filled out an online questionnaire about their practices; a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for some practices. One hundred and twenty-four Canadian hospitals participated. Cyclophosphamide (405/1445, 28%), gemcitabine (347/1445, 24%), and platinum (71/756, 9%) were the most frequent. The 90th percentile of surface concentration was 0.01 ng/cm² for cyclophosphamide and 0.003 ng/cm² for gemcitabine. Centers that prepared 5000 or more antineoplastic per year had higher concentrations of cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine on their surfaces (p = 0.0001). Almost half maintained a hazardous drugs committee (46/119, 39%), but this did not influence the cyclophosphamide contamination (p = 0.051). Hazardous drugs training was more frequent for oncology pharmacy and nursing staff than for hygiene and sanitation staff. This monitoring program allowed centers to benchmark their contamination with pragmatic contamination thresholds derived from the Canadian 90th percentiles. Regular participation and local hazardous drug committee involvement provide an opportunity to review practices, identify risk areas, and refresh training.

Pharmacogenetics testing (DPYD and UGT1A1) for fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan in routine clinical care: Perspectives of medical oncologists and oncology pharmacists.

Despite robust evidence and international guidelines, to support routine pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing, integration in practice has been limited. This study explored clinicians' views and experiences of pre-treatment DPYD and UGT1A1 gene testing and barriers to and enablers of routine clinical implementation. A study-specific 17-question survey was emailed (01 February-12 April 2022) to clinicians from the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA), the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP). Data were analysed and reported using descriptive statistics. Responses were collected from 156 clinicians (78% medical oncologists, 22% pharmacists). Median response rate of 8% (ranged from 6% to 24%) across all organisations. Only 21% routinely test for DPYD and 1% for UGT1A1. For patients undergoing curative/palliative intent treatments, clinicians reported intent to implement genotype-guided dosing by reducing FP dose for DPYD intermediate metabolisers (79%/94%), avoiding FP for DPYD poor metabolisers (68%/90%), and reducing irinotecan dose for UGT1A1 poor metabolisers (84%, palliative setting only). Barriers to implementation included: lack of financial reimbursements (82%) and perceived lengthy test turnaround time (76%). Most Clinicians identified a dedicated program coordinator, i.e., PGx pharmacist (74%) and availability of resources for education/training (74%) as enablers to implementation. PGx testing is not routinely practised despite robust evidence for its impact on clinical decision making in curative and palliative settings. Research data, education and implementation studies may overcome clinicians' hesitancy to follow guidelines, especially for curative intent treatments, and may overcome other identified barriers to routine clinical implementation.

Abstract 723: Who reconstitutes my chemotherapy? Examining the educational needs of oncology pharmacy practitioners in Nigeria

Abstract BackgroundNigeria has the highest cancer burden in Africa with 124,815 cancer cases and 78,899 cancer deaths in 2020. The limited number of oncology specialists, inaccessibility of essential cancer medicines like chemotherapies, and suboptimal delivery of cancer care lead to poor treatment outcomes. Oncology pharmacy (OP) practitioners are critical oncology professionals in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) for cancer treatment globally. In Nigeria, there is a limited number of OP practitioners providing services like reconstitution of chemotherapy, clinical research, safe use of biosafety cabinets, and monitoring of adverse drug reactions. Although the interest in oncology pharmacy is increasing, the educational needs, available skill sets, and directed training in oncology pharmacy across the nation are unknown. In this study, we examined the educational needs of OP practitioners and worked with the West African College of Pharmacy West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OPPAN), and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners to upgrade the oncology pharmacy practice in Nigeria. MethodA cross-sectional study with a semi-structured questionnaire was done in 2021 with 39 pharmacists working in oncology centers across Nigeria. General descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was performed. ResultsThere is no board-certified oncology pharmacist in Nigeria. More than 50% of the general pharmacists working in oncology centers are responsible for chemotherapy reconstitution. Understanding chemotherapy reconstitution (automation of chemotherapeutic mixing, use of radiopharmaceuticals, etc), use of biosafety cabinets, knowledge of pharmacology, designing treatment protocols, data management, immunotherapy delivery, and oncology clinical trials were some of the most significant educational needs of the OP practitioners in Nigeria. OP practitioners are lacking in most cancer centers and MDTs. ConclusionThere is an urgent need for a specialty postgraduate training programme in oncology pharmacy in Nigeria. This would help increase oncology clinical trials, improve delivery of cancer medicines, quality of care, and management of toxicities. The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists and OPPAN need appropriate training resources to develop an oncology pharmacy curriculum, promote the specialty and collaborate with global institutions for board certifications. Citation Format: Runcie C. Chidebe, Ramatu M. Alabelewe, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Gloria C. Okwu, Tochukwu C. Orjiakor, Nwamaka Lasebikan, Jacinta Emejulu, Adamu A. Umar, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam, Funsho David, Toyosi Adepoju, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Agha A. Agha, Simeon C. Aruah, Katy Graef, Richard Mshelia, Rob Duncombe, Matthew O. Nwaneri, Noel Wannang, Cindy O’Bryant, R. Donald Harvey, Peace C. Babalola, Folakemi T. Odedina. Who reconstitutes my chemotherapy? Examining the educational needs of oncology pharmacy practitioners in Nigeria [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 723.

Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic Drugs in Twelve French Health Care Setting: Biological Monitoring and Surface Contamination

Antineoplastic drugs used in the treatment of cancers have an intrinsic toxicity, because of their genotoxic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic properties. Their use is recognized as an occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs) who may be exposed. The purpose of this article is to present biological- and environmental-monitoring data collected in twelve French hospitals over eight years. Urine samples were collected from a wide range of HCWs (250 participants) from pharmacy and oncology units, including physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, auxiliary nurses, and cleaners. The investigated drugs were cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, methotrexate, and α-fluoro-β-alanine, the main urinary metabolite of 5-fluorouracil. Wipe samples were collected from various locations in pharmacy and oncology units. More than 50% of participants, from all exposure groups, were contaminated with either drug, depending on the unit, the day, or the task performed. However, workers from oncology units were more frequently exposed than workers from pharmacy units. Significant contamination was detected on various surfaces in pharmacy and oncology units, highlighting potential sources of exposure. Risk-management measures should be implemented to reduce and maintain exposures at lowest-possible levels. In addition, regular exposure assessment, including biological and environmental monitoring, is recommended to ensure the long-term efficiency of the prevention measures.

Education Aimed at Patient Safety Management of Chemotherapy Conducted at University Education Sites

The School Education Law was revised in 2006, and the university pharmacy education system and the national pharmacist examination system were changed. In line with the advancement of medical technology and the division of labor, 16 years have passed since the length of undergraduate pharmacy education was extended from 4 to 6 years in order to foster highly qualified pharmacists. During this period, the curriculum for practical training has been revised, and lectures and exercises focused on clinical education have been incorporated to foster pharmacists who can be useful in the medical field. In the area of cancer drug therapy, the university provides students with opportunities to learn about the basic mechanisms of action and side effects of anticancer drugs, but there is little coverage of clinical guidelines and pharmacological management of the latest therapies, such as cancer immunotherapy. Prior to my arrival at Hoshi University, I was involved in clinical work and clinical research at an oncology hospital for 13 years. Since my arrival, I have been exploring the gap between oncology pharmacotherapy and pharmacy education, and have been working to fill it. We have incorporated new curricula, such as exercises in formulation suggestions, lectures to deepen understanding of guidelines and supportive care, and information on the latest cancer drug therapies, such as cancer immunotherapy. This paper outlines the pharmacy education required to produce pharmacists who can practice safe cancer drug therapy.

Clinical and economic impact of clinical oncology pharmacy in cancer patients receiving injectable anticancer treatments: a systematic review.

Clinical pharmacy can reduce drug-related iatrogenesis by improving the management of adverse effects of drugs, limiting drug-drug interactions, and improving patient adherence. Given the vulnerability of cancer patients and the toxicity of injectable anticancer drugs, clinical pharmacy service (CPS) could provide a significant clinical benefit in cancer care. This review aims to synthesize existing evidence on clinical pharmacy's impact on patients treated with intravenous anticancer drugs. A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed/Medline database from January 2000 to December 2021, associating the keywords: clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, pharmacist, oncology, and chemotherapy. To be eligible for inclusion, studies have to report clinical pharmaceutical services for patients treated with intravenous chemotherapy with a clinical and/or economic impact. Forty-one studies met the selection criteria. Various CPS were reported: medication reconciliation, medication review, and pharmaceutical interview with patient. There was a lack of randomized study (n = 3; 7.3%). In one randomized controlled trial, pharmaceutical intervention significantly improved quality of life of patients receiving pharmaceutical care during injectable anticancer drugs courses. Economical results appear to show positive impact of clinical pharmacy with cost savings reported from 3112.87$ to 249844€. Although most studies were non-comparative, they highlighted that clinical pharmacy tend to limit chemotherapy side effects and drug-related problems, improve quality of life and satisfaction of patients and healthcare professional, and a positive economic impact. Clinical pharmacy can reduce adverse drug events in cancer patients. More robust and economic evaluations are still required to support its development in everyday practice.

Implementing Oncology Pharmacy Boot Camp for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Students at a Regional Conference in Saudi Arabia.

Background Upon graduation, pharmacy students are expected to possess a diverse array of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. A subject-specific boot camp may support bridging the gap between the information and skills gained during clerkships, courses required for pharmacy school after graduation, and skills needed for the job market, as well as the gap between pharmacy school and residency. This research aimed to determine whether an integrated boot camp increased Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student self-confidence and enhanced students' knowledge in oncology pharmacy. Method APPE students who attended the annual meeting of the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly (SOPA)/International Societyof OncologyPharmacy Practitioners(ISOPP) Regional Conference 2021 were voluntarily enrolled in a three-hour oncology-focused boot camp consisting of interactive lectures. Pre- and post-intervention examinations were used to evaluate student learning outcomes and their experience feedback. Result Of 118 students who attended the boot camp, 80 students who met the criteria were included in the study. The pre- and post-intervention examinations were completed by the 80 APPE students. The pre-intervention test results (mean: 66%, standard deviation (SD): 16%) increased by 21.5% after the boot camp (mean: 87.5%, SD: 12%, p = 0.001). Students scored better on each of the 10 test questions, with nine questions demonstrating a statistically significant result. Conclusion The results of this research showed that interns who participated in an oncology boot camp had a higher level of knowledge and confidence in applying key oncology concepts. Interns were satisfied with the chance to engage in the activity, and they agreed to adding boot camps to future conferences would be valuable. This research shows that it is possible to hold a transitional boot camp during conferences to better prepare students for their fields of study and increase their participation in oncology conferences.

Contribution of Oncology Pharmacists in Cancer Care: A Need for Quality Care

Abstract: Cancer is known as a disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate. There are several short-term and long-term complications of cancer, leading to poor quality of life. Cancer in advanced stage and malignant tumors requiring a multisystem involvement makes the treatment challenging. The diverse health impact of cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach for treatment. The oncology pharmacy has facilitated a revolutionary approach for preparing and training specialised pharmacists to deal with a variety of health challenges faced by cancer patients. Oncology pharmacists or oncopharmacists are the experts in designing drug therapy and individualizing it in accordance with the requirements. The conventional and novel role of pharmacists in clinical pharmacy practice is documented to positively impact the health of cancer patients, including cancer survivors. Hence, this review tries to summarize the potential role of oncopharmacists.

Prognostic impact of immune-related adverse events on survival outcomes in metastatic gastrointestinal cancer: A single-institutional experience.

801 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have several approved indications in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies including metastatic disease. The adverse events related to ICI use or Immune related adverse events (irAEs) are now being more readily recognized. The association between the occurrence of irAEs and survival outcomes is not well understood. Whereas complete tolerability of ICIs with minimal irAEs may be indicative of a lack of response, the development of moderate to severe irAEs could result in significant morbidity and mortality especially in already advanced disease. This dilemma has provided an impetus to present our 5-year single institutional experience wherein we aim to determine the impact of irAEs on survival outcomes in metastatic GI malignancies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of adult patients who received ICIs for metastatic GI malignancies at the Cleveland Clinic foundation between 2017-2022 by utilizing an outpatient oncology pharmacy database. ICIs of interest included atezolizumab, ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab. The occurrence of irAEs was as determined by primary oncologist. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients based on irAE presence, respectively. Results: There was a total of 151 patients who received ICIs for various metastatic GI malignancies. Among these, 38 unique irAEs were identified constituting 25% of the entire cohort. The table shows their distribution by organ system and type of GI malignancy. We observed hyper progressive disease in 3% of irAE cohort. Grade 3-4 irAEs requiring hospitalization occurred in 32% of all irAEs, median hospital length of stay of 5 (range:1-15) days with 11% resulting in death. 26 % discontinued treatment due to irAEs while 44% had palliative care consultations/hospice transition soon after. The median OS rates in patients who had irAEs vs those who didn’t, respectively, were 10 months [95% confidence interval (CI, 5-NA)] vs. 9 months [95% confidence interval (CI, 6-12)], p=0.85. There was also no statistically significant difference in median PFS between both groups (p=0.76). Conclusions: In our single institution cohort of metastatic gastrointestinal cancer patients, despite significant morbidity from irAEs, the prognosis was similar as previous studies suggesting a better outcome in patients with irAEs compared to those who did not experience irAEs.[Table: see text]

Oncology drugs need stewardship, too.

Donald C. Moore Dose rounding, expanding the use of biosimilars, and administering high-cost medications in outpatient settings are all strategies to bring the benefits of medication stewardship to cancer care, says Donald C. Moore, clinical oncology pharmacy manager at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. Moore was the lead speaker at the December 4 session Not Just for Antimicrobials: Integrating Oncology Stewardship into Practice at the 2022 Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition in Las Vegas, NV. “There is a growing sense in the general healthcare world and in pharmacy of stewardship outside the context of just... antimicrobials,” Moore said. “We’re really trying to optimize care while also trying to decrease the overall cost of care.” Moore said dose rounding, or defaulting to the nearest product vial size that’s within an acceptable percentage of the prescribed dose, can be appropriate for medications packaged in preservative-free, single-use vials. Clinical studies support the safety of dose rounding for monoclonal antibody therapies because they have wide therapeutic dose ranges.

Translated article] Adherence and quality of life in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with oral antineoplastic drugs

ObjectiveTo evaluate adherence and quality of life to oral antineoplastic treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To compare adherence and quality of life according to treatment subgroups and treatment-line subgroups. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive prospective study from June to November 2021 in a tertiary care hospital. Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, seen at the Oncology Pharmacy and treated with oral antineoplastic drugs for at least 6 months prior to inclusion in the study were included. Adherence was assessed using Morisky's 8 item Medication Adherence Scale and leftover pills counts, considering adherents if their adherence rate was ≥90%. Quality of life was assessed with Euro-Qol EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue scale and QLQ-C30 questionnaire from European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Two interviews were scheduled: at the time of inclusion and at 3 months. The clinical history was reviewed and demographic and clinical variables were collected. The data statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS® 25.0 software. ResultsTwenty three patients were included, all of them showed an adherence rate higher than 90%; 20 patients were considered high adherent, and 3 patients médium adherent to treatment according to Morisky's 8 item Medication Adherence Scale. The results of the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire showed that the patients were all of them autonomous in their personal care and daily activities, 69.6% did not have any mobility problems and 78.3% did not have anxiety/depression; 56.5% had some type of pain. Eighteen patients had no fatigue, and 5 had mild/moderate fatigue according to Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue scale. The results of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire showed that patients had a high /healthy functional level, a good quality of life and a low level of symptoms. Analysis by treatment subgroups and by treatment-line subgroups did not show statistically significant differences in adherence or quality of life. ConclusionsPatients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and treated with oral antineoplastic therapies showed a high adherence rate and referred a good quality of life.

Adherencia y calidad de vida en los pacientes con leucemia linfocítica crónica tratados con antineoplásicos orales

ObjectiveTo evaluate adherence and quality of life to oral antineoplastic treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To compare adherence and QoL according to treatment subgroups and treatment-line subgroups. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive prospective study from June to November 2021 in a tertiary care hospital. Patients treated at the Oncology Pharmacy with a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and treatment with oral antineoplastics for at least 6 months before inclusion in the study were included. Adherence was assessed using Morisky’s 8 item Medication Adherence Scale and leftover pills counts, considering adherents if their adherence rate was ≥ 90%. Quality of life was assessed with Euro-Qol EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue scale and QLQ-C30 questionnaire from European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Two interviews were scheduled: at the time of inclusion and at 3 months. Variable collected: demographic data, clinical data (disease and treatment); and response (scores obtained from questionnaires and adherence rate). The data statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS® 25.0 software. ResultsTwenty three patients were included, all of them showed an adherence rate higher than 90%; 20 patients were considered high adherent, and 3 patients medium adherent to treatment according to Morisky’s 8 item Medication Adherence Scale. The results of the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire showed that the patients were all of them autonomous in their personal care and daily activities, 69.6% did not have any mobility problems and 78.3% did not have anxiety/depression; 56.5% had some type of pain. Eighteen patients had no fatigue, and 5 had mild/moderate fatigue according to Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue scale. The results of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire showed that patients had a high /healthy functional level, a good quality of life and a low level of symptoms. Analysis by treatment subgroups and by treatment-line subgroups did not show statistically significant differences in adherence or quality of life. ConclusionsPatients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and treated with oral antineoplastic therapies showed a high adherence rate and referred a good quality of life.

Beliefs and perspectives on the future of oncology pharmacy—collated results of member surveys of the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy

Abstract Introduction: The European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP) has nearly 4000 members in 66 countries. Periodically, the needs and interests of the members as well as the predictions of the members for the development of the profession of oncology pharmacy are mapped by the board of the Society. The aim of these inquiries is to help focus the Societies' advocacy works, knowledge exchange, and scientific and educational programs into those areas where the members deem this most needed. Methods: One survey into the future of oncology pharmacy was held in 12 individual countries during a national meeting on the topic of oncology pharmacy. In this survey, the forecasts of the members were researched. A second survey was held under the full membership to identify the topics of most interest within the broader field of oncology care. Results: Five hundred ninety-five colleagues responded to the future of oncology pharmacy survey and 757 to the topics of interest survey. Participating respondents came from 53 individual countries. Combined, the results show that both clinical care (in multiprofessional treatment teams) and education are important areas for the Society to continue paying attention to. The other important aspect of oncology pharmacy, which includes the practical and safety aspects of compounding, remains of great interest, especially regarding technical innovations such as robotics. Conclusion: ESOP will remain focused on its initial aim: to support optimal treatment for patients with cancer. The globally collated data from the two surveys show that both the clinical and the practical sides of the profession deserve continuing advancement.

Proceedings of VII Congress of Hospital Oncology Pharmacy of INCA

Proceedings of VII Congress of Hospital Oncology Pharmacy of INCA

‘A life in a day’ simulation experience: perceptions of oncology nurses and pharmacy staff

BackgroundDue to an increase in patient numbers, more cancer patients are being reviewed by non-medical healthcare professionals (HCPs), and it is essential that they can empathise with patients and care for them holistically. ‘A Life in a Day’ is a role reversal simulation (RRS) which demonstrates the challenges, choices and impacts that cancer patients face every day, facilitated by a Smartphone application (app). This study focused on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and was designed to evaluate the impact of RRS on participants from the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) and the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS), and identify any changes made to clinical practice as a result.MethodA survey was conducted via the app before and after the experience. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants over Microsoft Teams.ResultsData from the survey showed that after the experience 97% of all participants strongly agreed that they ‘feel empathy for RCC patients’ and 90% strongly agreed that they ‘feel inspired to place patients at the centre of their work’. There were 5 themes extrapolated from the qualitative data: Holistic understanding of Patients, Reflections on Practice, Changes in Practice, Outreach to Colleagues, Education & Training.ConclusionParticipants reported an increase in empathy for their patients which inspired them to make changes to their practice. This involved being more holistic in their care and taking on more responsibility. They recommended use of RRS for HCP training and continued professional development. They also suggested incorporation of RRS into the pharmacy undergraduate curriculum.

Using Online Cancer Genomics Databases to Provide Teaching Resources for Pharmacy Education

Connecting scientific concepts with clinical applications is an important objective of pharmacy education. As the field of precision oncology expands, it is critical for pharmacy students to understand how genetic information informs cancer treatment decisions. However, to effectively teach students about pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics, faculty require relevant educational resources, including those that support higher-order learning. In this Commentary, we demonstrate the potential utility of publicly accessible cancer genomics databases as teaching resources for pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics in oncology pharmacy education. Using clinical data retrieved from a genomics database, we illustrate how case studies can be developed to target core competencies, including understanding tumor genomics profiling, somatic mutations and pharmacotherapy selection, and clinical pharmacogenetics testing. Cancer genomics databases provide readily available, cost-effective, clinical data resources that support active learning related to pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics education in oncology pharmacy curricula.

Response to Letters to the Editor: “Assessment of attrition and retention factors in the oncology pharmacy workforce: Results of the oncology pharmacy workforce survey”

Response to Letters to the Editor: “Assessment of attrition and retention factors in the oncology pharmacy workforce: Results of the oncology pharmacy workforce survey”

Impact of implementing the aseptic compounding management system, Medcura, on internal error rates within an oncology pharmacy aseptic unit: a mixed methods evaluation

BackgroundAs cancer survivorship improves, pressure on oncology services to provide safe, timely treatments increases. Traditional manual compounding processes are error prone, putting patients at risk. Additionally, errors have a detrimental...

Characterization of an embedded clinical oncology pharmacy model across the State of Michigan.

58 Background: The oncology pharmacist role has evolved to address implications of newer cancer therapies by increased integration in direct patient care and management of cancer therapy side effects and adherence. Despite the ability of oncology pharmacists to provide high-value, high-quality care to patients with cancer, it remains difficult for community oncology practices to justify the cost of the pharmacist. The purpose of this study is to characterize a model, Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan (POEM), that supports the integration of clinical oncology pharmacists into community practices via financial support to the practices, clinical support to the pharmacist team, and outcomes assessment. The results will provide insight into how pharmacists support patient care and how to substantiate a pharmacist in practices. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective analysis was conducted between October 2020 – March 2022. POEM pharmacists received support in the development of collaborative practice agreements, billing guidance, and ongoing oncology continuing education. Practices received support via a percentage of salary support for the pharmacist the first 3 years and value-based reimbursement for participation. A standardized method for collecting patient demographics, pharmacist encounter characteristics, and intervention information was created via RedCap. Patients receiving care by the pharmacist were provided a 4-item survey to rate their experience. Results: As of March 2022, POEM has 6 clinical oncology pharmacists representing 8 physician organizations, 24 oncology clinics, and 72 physicians. 1944 patients have been seen via 4296 encounters and 4380 interventions. 49% of patients were female, 93% white, and 74% > 60 years. The primary reasons for pharmacist care were treatment with oral anticancer agents (OAA) (52%), non-immunotherapy IV (22%), and immunotherapy (20%). Pharmacists recorded an average of 77 patient encounters/week over the last year and 108/week over the past quarter. 47% of these encounters were billed using care management codes. Additionally, pharmacists recorded an average of 82 interventions/week over the past year and 101/week over the last quarter. Interventions were Education and Referrals (49%), Medication Modification (24%), and Comprehensive Medication Review or Medication Reconciliation (20%). Patients were satisfied with the pharmacists’ care and felt it was important to meet with a pharmacist before beginning their cancer treatment. Conclusions: Early results indicate positive patient experiences from education sessions and medication interventions to improve patient symptoms. Future outcome analyses will quantify the return on investment of clinical pharmacist integration into oncology community practices by measuring pre- and post-intervention healthcare utilization and patient clinical outcomes.