Community pharmacists ensure safe, effective use of OAMs

Community pharmacists (CPs) are willing to implement oral anticancer medicine (OAM) interventions, which can potentially improve the management of patients with cancer, according to a cross-sectional study in France. 

A group of researchers conducted a declarative survey and semi-structured interviews with CPs who dispensed at least one OAM between January 2021 and March 2022. The study was carried out from April to August 2022. 

Eighty-five CPs completed the survey, of whom 18 (21 percent) had already performed OAM interventions, while 61 (91 percent) expressed their interest in implementing them. 

Several barriers to implementation were identified, including lack of time, knowledge, and training. No significant associations were observed between the characteristics of community pharmacies and the likelihood of implementing OAM interventions. 

“Considering that CPs seem willing to implement them and the favourable context in France, this observational study highlights the potential of OAM interventions to improve the management of cancer patients,” the researchers said.  

“Though further studies are required to better evaluate the implementation and the potential effects of these interventions, OAM interventions could be relevant strategies in other healthcare systems to secure the management of cancer patients through the involvement of the CP,” they added.  

In France, cancer outpatients can set a schedule with their CP to ensure the safe and effective use of OAMs, according to the researchers.