Roles of the Oncology

Pharmacists in Korea

Ae Ryoung Park, BCOP

Pharmacy department, Seoul St. Marys Hospital
The Catholic University of Korea

Medication Management & Use

Chemotherapy

MMU 1.
Planning

MMU.2
Selection
and
procurement

MMU.5
MMU.3
Storage

MMU.4
Ordering

Preparing
and
aseptic
dispensing

MMU.6
Administ
-ration

MMU.7
Monitoring

Goal of this process is to provide cancer patients

the correct, efficacious, and safe medications.
Facilities providing chemotherapy should establish and ensure
that members of the oncology team have appropriate education and
training to care for patients receiving chemotherapy.
JCI standards

Expansion of the Oncology Pharmacists role

Cancer dose
preparation
& safety checks

Educating patients
about chemotherapy

Vital role of the

cancer care team

Becoming an integral part of the cancer care team

Try to be oncology specialists that
possess a level of training, experience,
knowledge, and skills.

Board certified specialists in Korea

(n)
16
14
1

12
10

7
4

Ambulatory care(1)

4
4

6
10
4

2
7

2
6

1
4

3
1

Pharmacotherapy(26)

Nutrition support(24)
1
1

Oncology(40)

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
by Korean Society of Health-system Pharmacists

KSHP certified oncology specialists

(n)

Oncology (81)

40

Specialties

35

1.
2.
3.
4.

30
25
20
15

34

10

20
15

Cardiology Pharmacy
Endocrinology Pharmacy
Nutrition Support Pharmacy
Organ Transplantation
Pharmacy
5. Oncology Pharmacy
6. Critical Care Pharmacy

12

2010

2011

2012

2013
* KSHP : Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Chemotherapy dose & safety checks

Need for medication prescriptions to be reviewed for appropriateness

Appropriate protocol regimen

Accuracy of transmitted orders
BSA checked again
Dose reduction confirmed
Check the drugs stability and compatibility information
Check the stickers: two stickers printed if needed protect from light

Management of Protocol-based Chemotherapy Order System

To dispense medications in the right dose to the right patient at
the right time

Chemotherapy Protocol Program

Protocol Name

Disease
Detailed
chemotherapy regimen

Phamacist
Name

Aseptic dispensing
Anteroom

Transfer
Box

Preparing sterile products should

follow aseptic procedures.
Cleanroom

Patient education
Oncology pharmacists are true
experts in the medications used
to treat cancer.
Chemotherapy schedules
Side effects
Management of common side effects
Correct procedure taking medicine

Pharmacists communicate information

between the doctor and the patient, especially
compliance and side effects.
Pharmacists act as the coach to promote
winning as the patient fights the cancer battle.

Roles in the health care team

Oncology pharmacists possess specialized knowledge about medications.

Work with the medical

and nursing staff

To maximize the benefits of drug therapy

while trying to minimize toxicities

Coordinate the
complete medication
plan

From inpatient chemotherapy infusions to

what medications need to be taken at home

Evaluations of
patients medication
profile

To ensure each drug is dosed appropriately

Following up with the health care team to
adjust medications if the patient experience
side effects

Roles in the health care team

Inpatient rounding with medical team
Daily-basis or weekly-basis participating
Drug information and drug issue
Discuss the treatment strategies with doctors

Participating the medical conference

Review journals/text
Present drug information
Review the patients case
Discuss on pharmacy affairs

Monitoring
Patients receiving chemotherapy are monitored for efficacy and
adverse effects.
Reporting ADRs(adverse drug reactions)
Monitoring
ADRs for
chemotherapy

Reporting to the
ADR system in
the institute

Providing the
information of ADRs
for the health care
professionals
in the hospital

Reporting to the
Korea Institute of
Drug Safety & Risk
Management
(http://www.drugsafe.or.kr)

Medication errors, including near misses, should be reported through

a process and time frame defined by the organization.

Summary
Roles of the Oncology Pharmacists

Chemotherapy dose preparation and safety checks

Management of Protocol-based Chemotherapy Order System
Preparing and aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy
Education for patient or caregiver
Roles in the health care team

Work with the medical and nursing staff

Coordinate the complete medication plan
Discuss the therapeutic strategies with doctors
Inpatient rounding with medical team
Participating the medical conference

Monitoring the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy