Feasibility of a comprehensive medication review to improve medication use for patients with cancer and comorbid conditions

Abstract

Purpose A focus on oral medications for patients receiving care from both oncologists and primary care providers elicits an opportunity for improvement in patient outcomes. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility and appropriateness of a comprehensive medication review (CMR) by a primary care pharmacist in a population of patients with cancer and chronic conditions. Methods Adult patients who received both cancer and primary care at Michigan Medicine, received active systemic cancer treatment, and had a comorbid condition of diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure, depression, and/or anxiety were eligible to receive a CMR by the primary care clinical pharmacist. Data collected included number eligible for the CMR (feasibility), patient demographics, medication-related problems (MRPs) and medication interventions (appropriate), number of patients requiring follow-up with the clinical pharmacist or physician, and pre/post-intervention changes in A1c and BP, as applicable. Results Of the 96 patients that met inclusion criteria, 55 patients (57%) received a CMR. Pharmacists provided 66 instances of patient education and identified 22 medication-related problems (MRPs) in 15 (27%) of patients. After CMRs were completed, 22 patients (40%) were referred to primary care pharmacists or physician providers for ongoing care. Conclusion A CMR was feasible and appropriate for patients with chronic conditions receiving treatment for cancer.

Impact of a Tripartite Collaboration between Oncologist, Pharmacist and Diabetologist in the Management of Patients with Diabetes Starting Chemotherapy: The ONCODIAB Trial

“…Third, this collaboration alongside oncologists/hematologists is probably feasible and efficient because patients with diabetes and cancer are patients with an elevated incidence of drug-related complications. They are often old with other comorbidities and an elevated number of medicines [ 17 ].…”

Toxicity Derived from Interaction between Natural Compounds and Cancer Therapeutic Drugs Metabolized by CYP3A4: Lessons Learned from Two Clinical Case Reports

“…The activity is not regulated uniformly among countries: for example, in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A., it is structured as a service within pharmaceutical care or by public pharmacies [16,17]; in some European countries, including Italy, it is freely organized at the regional level. MedRev can be a simple interview with the patient and the reconciliation of his or her personal drug therapy, or it can be structured with dedicated tools and algorithms [18]. A systematic review presenting various tools and methods in oncology is reported by Whitman et al [19].…”