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.
Table 1: NCCP 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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National Chemotherapy Regimens for all SACT
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Listed as per tumour site, including OAM and OAM in combination with IV SACT
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National Chemotherapy Regimens for OAM
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Available on NCCP website here
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These can be used to support the safe dispensing of OAM
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SUPPORTIVE CARE
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NCCP Classification Document for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) Induced Nausea and Vomiting
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Available here
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This is the NCCP classification document for anti-emetics prescribed in conjunction with chemotherapy as supportive care
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DISPENSING
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NCCP Guidance on Dose Banding
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Available here
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For some drugs e.g. capecitabine, doses are calculated on an individualised basis and may be rounded up or down to predetermined standard doses
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NCCP Briefing Note: Implementation of the Lenalidomide Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP) for Generic Products
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Available here
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This briefing note provides details of risk minimisation measures required for all lenalidomide generic products, including a pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) and a national controlled distribution system.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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NCCP Clinical Practice Guidelines
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Available here
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Evidence-based guidelines on common cancers
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NCCP Guidance on Biosimilars in Cancer Treatment
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Available here
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To note that Biosimilars are not interchangeable at pharmacy level
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Advice on Cancer Prevention
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Available here
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Advice on Cancer Screening
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Available here
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Useful Cancer Information and Support Websites
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Available here
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NCCP Patient Information leaflets and booklets
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Available here
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|
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Influenza Vaccine and Patients with Cancer
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FAQs available here
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Covid-19 and Patients with Cancer
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Available here
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EDUCATION RESOURCES
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National Competency Framework for Pharmacists Working in Cancer Care
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Available here
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Developed by NCCP in conjunction with colleagues from the IIOP, the IPU, hospital oncology pharmacy and community pharmacy
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Table 2: Other Resources for Community Pharmacists
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RESOURCE TYPE
|
LINK TO RESOURCE
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COMMENT
|
|
REGIMENS
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International reference sources
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BC Cancer Protocols (British Columbia, Canada)
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Available here
|
|
|
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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|
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eviQ Clinical Resources – Side Effects and Toxicity Management
|
Available here
|
|
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NCCN Guidelines – Supportive Care
|
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
|
|
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
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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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Available here
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A self-directed online training programme
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BC Cancer Education Programme
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Available here
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A pharmacy education programme on cancer treatments
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eviQ Education
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Available here
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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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Available here
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A variety of oncology courses available
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Nova Scotia Health Authority
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Available here
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Resources for pharmacists dispensing OAMs
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European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
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Available here
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Information on the latest research and updates on cancer treatments
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre
|
Available here
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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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Available here
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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. See links available here.
BACKGROUND TO ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES (OAM) RESOURCES:
OAM Model of Care
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 (available here) 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 and is available here.
NCCP Oncology Medications Safety Review Report
In 2014, the NCCP published the findings of an Oncology Medication and Safety Review (available here) 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
