[French mapping of clinical pharmacy activities for older patients with cancer: A SFPO-SFPC survey].

Abstract

Introduction: Older patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable to the risk of adverse drug events. Therefore, it is essential that pharmacists play an active role in their multidisciplinary management throughout the care pathway. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of clinical pharmacy activities integrated into multidisciplinary management in geriatric oncology in France.

Method: An online survey involving pharmacists from the French societies of clinical pharmacy (SFPC) and oncology pharmacy (SFPO) was carried out between 1st May 2023 and 31 August 2023. The questionnaire focused on the description of clinical pharmacy activities associated with multidisciplinary geriatric oncology assessment developed in the institution. A single response per hospital was required.

Results: Among the 70 respondents, 46 (65.7%) offer multidisciplinary geriatric oncology assessments. Clinical pharmacy activities have already been integrated to these assessments in 27 (38.6%) hospitals, and a further 10 (14.2%) are planning to implement them in the near future. These activities are carried out in parallel with medical activities, primarily after the initiation of cancer treatment and mainly on an outpatient basis. They mostly involve medication reconciliation and optimization of drug therapy. The main obstacles to their development are the lack of human resources and funding, particularly in hospitalization settings.

Discussion/conclusion: Pharmacists are still insufficiently integrated into multidisciplinary geriatric oncology teams, despite their crucial role in the care pathway and the advocacy of professional societies. Changes in funding methods and the development of digital tools for city-hospital cooperation could help to promote this integration in the future.