Oncology Pharmacists Are Committed to Help End Cancer as We Know It
Jolynn Sessions, Pharm.D., BCOP, CCP, FHOPA
President, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) stands allied with patients and clinicians in celebrating the goals of NCI’s National Cancer Plan. Our mission is to support pharmacy practitioners and to promote and advance hematology/oncology pharmacy to optimize the care of individuals affected by cancer. Tackling cancer is a complex task; however, by working together through interprofessional partnerships, we can advance cancer outcomes for all Americans.
Oncology pharmacists are integral members of the multidisciplinary teams that care for individuals with cancer. We play a major role collaborating with oncologists and other members of the team to deliver cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments. With the ever-growing shortages of health care workers in the United States, oncology pharmacists are able to help support other members of the care team with certain medication-related clinical tasks, freeing up time for physicians and other providers to engage in other patient-care activities.
We also bring unparalleled pharmacologic expertise to the patients’ cancer care journey. By providing counseling services on supportive care, we are integral to the management of short- and long-term toxicities of cancer treatments. Oncology pharmacists weigh risks versus benefits of treatments and focus on improving or maintaining patients’ quality of life. As the medication experts, we help manage the side effects of treatment to ensure that patients can remain adherent to their treatment plan, while also being able to continue their normal daily activities. In addition, pharmacists are trained in patient education and advocacy, and partner with patients as they navigate financial toxicity and other barriers to care.
We recognize that ongoing research and the development of effective treatments is a foundational element for making progress on cancer. Pharmacists are heavily involved with Investigational Drug Services at their institutions, ensuring that clinical trials are carried out properly and that patients have access to their clinical trial treatments. Many HOPA members publish basic science and translational research, as well as studies on drug efficacy and safety, to help advance practice and ensure treatments are of the highest quality. Some oncology pharmacists are also employed by pharmaceutical companies, where they help develop, market, and educate providers on newly approved cancer treatments.
Seamless data sharing among patients, clinicians, and researchers is critical to ensuring the most effective and safest therapeutic options. All oncology pharmacists rely on electronic health records, and many have deep informatics or research expertise. HOPA supports the development of cancer data analytics and infrastructure, elimination of unnecessary data silos, and empowerment of patients with access to their own clinical information.
As integral members of the health care team, oncology pharmacists impact the lives of their patients every day, and we are equally ready to contribute to achieving the end of cancer as we know it. We applaud NCI for the creation of the National Cancer Plan and stand ready to offer our support in meeting its goals.