Jenna M Carmichael
Geisinger Health System, USA
Title: Toxicity assessment and ensuring compliance to oral chemotherapy with a pharmacist-run medication therapy management clinic
Biography
Biography: Jenna M Carmichael
Abstract
Oral Chemotherapy is an ever increasing part of available therapies for the treatment of cancer. Th is makes treatment convenient for patients as they can take the medication at home but ensuring that the patient is taking the medication appropriately can be diffi cult to assess. Th ese medications also have side eff ect profi les that are diff erent to manage than typical chemotherapy, for example, hypothyroidism in patients taking imatinib. Described is a pharmacist-run medication therapy management clinic that uses a phone based model to contact patients to assess compliance and determine toxicity at Geisinger Health System in rural Pennsylvania, USA. Th is clinic operates under the use of a collaborative practice agreement and allows the pharmacist to be a useful addition to the patient’s therapy by being a contact on a regular basis to discuss potential and real side eff ects of medication and if patient is experiencing side eff ects, adding on supportive medications or holding therapy as needed, request and assess lab tests, as determined by the manufacturer, ensure compliance by discussing how patient is taking medication using open-ended questions and a full review of the patient’s medication list, to determine if there are potential drug-drug interactions with current therapy. Th rough use of the collaborative practice agreement, the provider is informed of the patient’s progress with therapy. Th is clinic has been well received by the Hematologists and Oncologists on staff as well as the patients enrolled.