From oncology pharmacy to pharmaceutical care: new contributions to multidisciplinary cancer care

Abstract

In recent years a paradigm shift towards a patient-focused rather than a disease-focused approach occurred in many health care systems. The pharmacy profession experienced an accordant development. The traditional drug-oriented services expanded towards patient-oriented services. In oncology, pharmacists established central services for compounding of cytotoxic drugs and offered therapeutic drug monitoring for critical substances. Pharmaceutical care concepts are now being introduced to optimize individual drug therapy. Pharmaceutical care aims at improving safety and therapeutic outcomes and consequently, the patient's quality of life. These objectives imply a close relationship to supportive care. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary approach seems to be beneficial.

Pharmacist-Driven Management of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Hospitalized Adult Oncology Patients. A Retrospective Comparative Study

“…Several studies had demonstrated the added value when clinical pharmacists were directly involved in cancer patients' care as the drug experts. 10,11 The results of this study are consistent with that notion. The need for the pharmacist involvement grew significantly with the shift from a disease-centered to a patient-centered care.…”

“…The need for the pharmacist involvement grew significantly with the shift from a disease-centered to a patient-centered care. 10 With that shift, patient's quality of life became a measure that is, perhaps, as important as the disease progression. 11 Areas in cancer supportive care where pharmacists contribute to patient care and quality of life includes pain management, anemia, co-morbid conditions and chemotherapy or radiation induced nausea and vomiting.…”

Exploring autistic-like traits relating to empathic attitude and psychological distress in hospital pharmacists

“…Pharmacists have traditionally played a leading role in cancer care teams in establishing 2 central services for compounding cytotoxic drugs and offering therapeutic drug 3 monitoring for critical substances [1]. However, the Cancer Control Act, enforced in The World Health Organization has defined pharmaceutical care as "a philosophy of 25 practice in which the patient is the primary beneficiary of the pharmacist's actions" [7].…”

Determinants Affecting Quality of Life: Implications for Pharmacist Counseling for Patients with Breast Cancer in Japan

“…17,18) In oncology-related pharmacy, pharmacists' competencies are moving from traditional drug-oriented services toward patient-oriented services. 19,20) In 2005, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists established the certifications for boardcertified oncology pharmacy specialists and board-certified pharmacists in oncology pharmacy. As in other countries, the clinical role of pharmacists in Japan is expanding.…”