Organised by the FIP Industrial Pharmacy Section in collaboration with the FIP Community Pharmacy Section & the FIP Hospital Pharmacy Section
Chair(s)
Mr Didier Mouliom, ExCo member FIP Industrial Pharmacy Section, Cameroon & Dr Rebekah Moles. Board member FIP Foundation, Australia
Introduction:
The inequity in access to oncology therapies and the global shortage of basic but essential chemotherapies are critical issues affecting patient outcomes and healthcare systems worldwide, considering that most effective cancer therapy regimen combines modern biologicals with traditional chemotherapy schemes.
The global drug shortage in oncology has multiple causes, including manufacturing and supply chain issues, market dynamics, and regulatory challenges, demanding a multidisciplinary approach for an appropriate solution.
The impact of shortages to cancer patients is especially critical, as treatment delays or interruptions often lead to life-threating outcomes.
The FIP statement on cancer prevention and control in the context of an integrated approach (2017) highlighted that pharmacists are relevant, not only in the manufacturing and supply chain of oncology drugs, but all through the patient journey. They provide professional support to patients and their families during the oncology treatment while in hospital as well as after discharge, as treatments are often accompanied by a set of collateral effects such as secondary health conditions and adverse effects, which critically impact their quality of life.
As stronger regulatory and supply chain frameworks are necessary at global and regional levels, pharmacists can play a leadership role in all discussions on this matter as the call for actions by medical and patients’ associations notably increases.
The session aims to discuss the challenges and initiatives from pharmaceutical professionals involved in the manufacturing, supply chain, and hospital handling of oncological drugs to mitigate the impact of shortages over the patient’s journey and treatment outcomes while in need of chemotherapy, while putting the patient at the centre of the discussion by adding their perspectives to the panel discussion.
Programme:
| 14:00 – 14:05 | Introduction by the chairs |
| 14:05 – 14:25 | Global shortage in oncology: challenges and opportunities to manufacturers and regulatory agencies |
| Mr Igor L. de Castro, ExCo member FIP Industrial Pharmacy Section, Brazil | |
| 14:25 – 14:45 | Promoting safe and effective medication access during drug shortages: the role of clinical pharmacists and health systems on a cancer patient’s journey |
| Dr Michael Ganio, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, USA | |
| 14:45 – 15:25 | Panel discussion |
| 15:25 – 15:30 | Closing |
Learning objectives:
1. To understand the critical impact of global drug shortages into patients’ access to affordable, safety and efficacious oncology treatments.
2. To learn about the challenges in the pharmaceutical sector and the measures that can be taken by the different stakeholders to mitigate and avoid drug shortages.
3. To understand the role of clinical pharmacists in hospital settings while handling shortages of essential oncology drugs and ensuring patients receive the best therapy options.
Take home messages:
Oncology patients have specific needs and are particularly impacted by drug shortages. When not receiving the adequate treatment at the right time, their clinical outcomes are substantially compromised. Pharmacists from all areas play a relevant role, by helping to develop policies, working on manufacturing and supply chain solutions, and supporting patients to receive the best treatment available, while also developing initiatives to mitigate and avoid drug shortages.
