Other vital duties of pharmacists in the treatment and management of blood cancers, in collaboration with other healthcare providers, include patient education, ongoing monitoring of patient response to therapy, providing patients with information about ongoing and upcoming clinical trials, and directing patients to seek further medical evaluation when warranted.
A study published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice discovered that interventions from oncology pharmacists meaningfully enhanced patient outcomes in several ways. These included optimizing medication therapy, which was accomplished by implementing patient-centered treatment plans, providing comprehensive patient education on the disease and treatment plan, expanding use of technology to diminish medication errors, and improving treatment management. Pharmacists also assisted patients in achieving substantial cost savings by reducing\preventing complications and reducing the need for hospital readmissions.
Another publication revealed that patients with blood cancers who were monitored by pharmacists were more prone to experience a lower incidence of adverse effects or complaints during treatment and were more likely to adhere to treatments.
In addition, a study published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice demonstrated that pharmacist-led interventions significantly improved the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that pharmacist interventions enhanced adherence to oral chemotherapy regimens and helped patients manage associated ADRs more effectively.
The instrumental role of pharmacists in patient care is well documented. Incredible advances have been made in the treatment of lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, and patients are living longer with blood cancers. The development of novel and emerging therapies with innovative mechanisms of action and fixed-dose and combination therapies provides clinicians with additional options for treating blood cancers. Pharmacists can use their clinical skills to provide efficacy and safety data and expand awareness about novel and emerging therapies for treating blood cancers and ongoing clinical trials to advance care through novel and existing therapies.
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