The role of oncology pharmacists and comprehensive medication reconciliation in informing treatment plans for older adults with cancer and downstream outcomes
Andrew Whitman, Emily Fitch, Ginah Nightingale
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Proper medication management is an essential part of older adult cancer care. An aging population, an increase in anticancer treatment options, and high rates of comorbid conditions make navigating general medication reconciliation complicated. This review will highlight the recent literature describing the roles of the oncology pharmacist in caring for older adults with cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: The body of literature highlighting oncology pharmacist roles in this population is mainly focused on polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication assessments, deprescribing nonessential therapies, drug-drug interaction reviews, and immunization optimization. Outcomes associated with oncology pharmacist interventions are still lacking as well as the development of benchmarks for appropriate pharmacy-based care in the older adult oncology population. SUMMARY: Oncology pharmacist interventions in older adults with cancer have the potential to improve patient care. Future randomized studies in this area of practice are warranted in order to clearly define the optimal impact of oncology pharmacists.