Medication-related problems (MRPs) pose a significant health risk, especially to patients undergoing anti-cancer therapy. The nature and complexity of the treatment necessitate the involvement of pharmacists in ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of medications.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis has delved into the impact of pharmacist-led interventions in resolving these MRPs among cancer patients. The review was carried out following the PRISMA protocol and registered in PROSPERO. The study utilized information from four databases – PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and International Pharmaceuticals Abstracts, and only included randomized control trials (RCTs).
Out of 90 studies screened for eligibility, 20 RCT studies were included in the systematic review and 15 in the meta-analysis. The majority of these studies were from Europe and Asia. The interventions applied in these studies ranged from educational to behavioral strategies over a period that varied from 8 days to 12 months.
Pharmacist Interventions Boost Adherence and Reduce Risks in Medication-Related Problems
Findings from the meta-analysis revealed that pharmacist-led interventions significantly improved treatment adherence, reducing the occurrence of adverse drug events (ADEs) and overall MRPs compared to control groups. Specifically, adherence to treatment improved by 4.79 times, ADEs decreased by 1.28, and overall MRPs reduced by 0.53.
The study concludes that pharmacist-led interventions can indeed significantly lower MRPs among patients treated for cancer. Therefore, there is a need for global efforts to integrate pharmacists into multidisciplinary direct cancer care teams.
Original Article DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.02.006
Original title: Impact of pharmacist-led interventions on medication-related problems among patients treated for cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
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