SPONSORED FEATURE: ISOPP
CANCER CONTROL 2015 63
T
he value of the oncology pharmacist as a
collaborative member of an interdisciplinary cancer
care team to best support the complex drug therapy
needs of the individual with cancer has been recognized and
described in the literature (1). Oncology pharmacists are
viewed as the cancer drug therapy experts in many
countries, based on their training , expertise and function.
The role of the oncology pharmacist has evolved to address
many aspects of direct patient care and to support overall
cancer care. The role continues to evolve worldwide through
the dedication and efforts of oncology pharmacists, local,
national and regional oncology pharmacy organizations and
ISOPP. The advancement of the role of the oncology
pharmacist is key in emerging health systems.
ISOPP, the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy
Practitioners, is a nonprofit organization that celebrates 20
years this year. ISOPP's mission is to promote and enhance
oncology pharmacy practice worldwide to improve cancer
patient care. This mission is accomplished through
development and dissemination of practice standards
related to oncology pharmacy practice, as well as the
development and provision of oncology pharmacy
education. The organization supports educational initiatives,
promotes and sponsors oncology pharmacy research and
provides a forum to optimize both formal and informal
networking for oncology pharmacists.
As cancer care continues to progress, it is essential to
evaluate changes in cancer drug therapy as well as oncology
pharmaceutical care to successfully integrate advances in
care into practice as appropriate. A global approach to the
evolution is not always appropriate. There is a need to
ensure that resources are available to integrate and support
integration as countries and regions around the world
incorporate changes. ISOPP provides a platform for
oncology pharmacists to share ideas and strategies that can
be adapted across the world, as well as identify resources
(e.g. individuals) that have been part of successful changes
within their environment. The Journal of Oncology Pharmacy
Practice (JOPP), the official publication of ISOPP, provides
the opportunity for members to learn of practices, practice
innovations and the individuals who have innovated from
across the globe. This forum provides information and
shares ideas. JOPP publishes original articles relevant to
oncology pharmacy practioners across the oncology
pharmacy specialty. Meeting abstracts for the ISOPP
symposiums are published in JOPP ensuring that highlights
from the emerging work of pharmacists to optimize
oncology care are widely available. This also provides
information about potential resources for members as they
look to implement ideas within their region. JOPP is
available in both online and hard-copy formats and is
indexed in the PubMed database, International
Pharmaceutical Abstracts as well as other medical literature
databases. This ensure that information is available to
pharmacists and health-care professionals across the globe
and helps provide access to information for those unable to
participate in ISOPP symposia.
ISOPP has developed and published Standards of
Oncology Pharmacy Practice that provide guidelines for
many aspects of oncology pharmacy practice, and take into
account the realities of oncology pharmacy practice from
both resource-rich and resource-poor settings. These
standards address key issues for pharmacists and the healthcare
team regarding topics important to managing drugs and
drug therapy, preparing cancer treatment, and administering
chemotherapy/cancer therapies. The ISOPP standards focus
on aspects of sterile and safe handling of cancer medications,
strategies to optimize safety, such as the appropriate use of
personal protective equipment, prevention and
management of chemotherapy spills, and optimization of the
drug therapy process to minimize and manage medication
errors. These standards continue to evolve as the practice of
oncology pharmacy and cancer care evolves and are
currently being updated. Additionally, many national
pharmacy and/or health-care organizations have developed
standards that provide additional and complementary
guidance on oncology pharmacy practice. ISOPP partners
with these groups to help disseminate information to
ISOPP: PROMOTING ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
WORLDWIDE TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE
ROWENA N SCHWARTZ, PHARMD, BCOP; PRESIDENT, ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTIONERS (ISOPP)