Introduction
This community pharmacist resource page has been developed to support community pharmacists involved in the care of patients with cancer, with particular focus on the following areas:
- Safe dispensing of oral anti-cancer medicines (OAM). Please refer to the dispensing section in Table 1 below for guidance.
- Patient counselling of patients with cancer
- Supportive care for systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), including OAM and hospital administered SACT
The tables below include links to relevant national and international resources on OAM and on other cancer related topics e.g. supportive care.
See tables below for resources to support community pharmacists.
Regimens
NCCP National SACT Regimens for all SACT
Listed as per tumour site, including OAM and OAM in combination with IV SACT
NCCP National SACT Regimens for Oral Anti-Cancer Medicines
These can be used to support the safe dispensing of OAM
Supportive care
NCCP Classification Document for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Induced Nausea and Vomiting (PDF)
This is the NCCP classification document for anti-emetics prescribed in conjunction with chemotherapy as supportive care
Dispensing
NCCP Guidance on Dose Banding
For some drugs e.g. capecitabine, doses are calculated on an individualised basis and may be rounded up or down to predetermined standard doses
General information
NCCP Clinical Practice Guidelines
Evidence-based guidelines on common cancers
The NCCP Guidance on the use of Biosimilars in Cancer Treatment has been retired ( May 2024). Please see link to HSE Guidance for Biological and Biosimilar Medicines use in Acute Hospitals here
To note that Biosimilars are not interchangeable at pharmacy level
NCCP Patient Information leaflets and booklets
Influenza Vaccine and Patients with Cancer
Education resources
National Competency Framework for Pharmacists Working in Cancer Care
Developed by NCCP in conjunction with colleagues from the IIOP, the IPU, hospital oncology pharmacy and community pharmacy
Table 2: Other Resources for Community Pharmacists
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RESOURCE TYPE
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LINK TO RESOURCE
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COMMENT
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REGIMENS
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International reference sources
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BC Cancer Protocols (British Columbia, Canada)
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Available here
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eviQ Protocols (Australia)
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Available here
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NCCN Guidelines (US)
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Available here
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SUPPORTIVE CARE
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eviQ Clinical Resources – Side Effects and Toxicity Management
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Available here
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NCCN Guidelines – Supportive Care
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Available here
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ESMO Supportive Care
(European Society for Medical Oncology)
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Available here
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Evidence-based recommendations on cancer-related areas including bone pain, immunotherapy toxicity, venous thromboembolism, extravasation
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DISPENSING
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OAM Summary of Product Characteristics
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Available here
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From the medicines.ie website
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Drug Interactions with Food and Other Drugs
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Available here
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From the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
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Liverpool Drug Interactions
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Available here
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Interaction checker for cancer drug
- (December 2023). Please note that this is an archived version of the interaction checker. Please note the date of last update. It is the responsibility of the user to assess the clinical relevance of the archived data and the risks and benefits of using such data.
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Drug Interactions with Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAMs)
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Available here
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From the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre – herbs, botanicals and other products
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Available here
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Expert advice and information on supplements and integrative medicine treatments
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Credible Meds – QT Prolongation
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Available here
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A list of cancer treatments categorised by their potential to cause QT prolongation and/or torsades de pointes (TdP)
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Information on managing/identifying Adverse Effects
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Available here
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Chemocare website
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Useful Counselling Points for individual drugs
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Available here
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Chemocare website
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Information on how to report suspected adverse events (HPRA)
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Available here
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Pharmacists are encouraged to report suspected adverse effects to the HPRA
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Information on Government Medical Schemes
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Available here
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Details of schemes and allowances that can help with healthcare costs
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List of OAMS available on High Tech Drug Scheme
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Available here
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Many OAMs are ordered via the High Tech Hub on the PCRS website
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Cancer Trials Ireland website – details of open clinical trials
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Available here
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Information on open cancer clinical trials including basket trials
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Education resources
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IIOP - Oral Anti-Cancer Medicines
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A self-directed online training programme
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BC Cancer Education Programme
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A pharmacy education programme on cancer treatments
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eviQ Education
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An education resource with the option of long or short courses
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British Oncology Pharmacy Association
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A variety of oncology courses available
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European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
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Information on the latest research and updates on cancer treatments
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre
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A variety of information on cancer treatments and clinical research
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HSeLanD Online Learning and Development Portal
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Community pharmacists can register to access learning modules, some of which are cancer-related
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The NCCP also provides guidance on many other aspects of cancer treatment such as nursing, survivorship and psycho-oncology.
Background to Oral Anti-cancer Medicines (OAM) Resources
OAM Model of Care
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 (PDF) recommended the development of a national model of care for Oral Anti-Cancer Medicines (OAM) (Recommendation 23). This has been completed by a working group convened by the NCCP.
NCCP Oncology Medications Safety Review Report
In 2014, the NCCP published the findings of an Oncology Medication and Safety Review (PDF) which was conducted across the 26 hospitals in Ireland involved in the administration of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) in adults and children. The development of national guidance on the care of patients receiving OAM was also a key recommendation from this review.
All comments and feedback are welcome at oncologydrugs@cancercontrol.ie
