This issue of The Oncology Pharmacist (TOP) offers the first in a series of articles about oncology pharmacy safety and issues related to hazardous materials in the workplace. Christine Roussel, PharmD, BCOP, and Thomas H. Connor, PhD, discuss the research documenting the magnitude of workplace contamination, extent of chemical absorption (worker exposure), and downstream effects these chemicals may exert on healthcare workers. Roussel and Connor emphasize how important it is for oncology pharmacists to be aware of, and to adhere to, existing safe handling guidelines in addition to keeping up-to-date on training and the latest improvements in safety equipment.
In this month’s issue, we present our coverage of the news from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association 9th Annual Conference. TOP was there, and we highlight presentations about oncology clinical pathways, how a comprehensive analysis of the DPYD gene can be used to personalize a patient’s 5-FU/capecitabine therapy, the role of the pharmacist in helping overcome patients’ financial and personal obstacles to oral chemotherapy, and how pharmacists can help expand patient access to compassionate-use drugs.
Be sure to read about Jill Drury, this year’s winner of the T.O.P. Pharmacist Award. Jill says that oncology pharmacy is a field that encourages creativity in its mixture of science and clinical care and she relishes her interaction with patients.
Please visit our website, www.TheOncologyPharmacist.com. Tell us what topics you want to see covered in TOP. We appreciate your feedback—positive and negative—about what you see in print and on the website.