Oncology Pharmacists’⁣ Evolving role in Cancer Care Discussed at ASCO

Updated June 21, 2025
⁢⁢

The evolving role of oncology pharmacists in cancer care was a key topic at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual‍ Meeting. Experts, including Melody Chang of american Oncology Network, Eugene Przespolewski of Roswell Park Complete Cancer Center,⁣ and Scott Soefje of Mayo Clinic, convened at the⁤ Oncology Pharmacists Connect (OPC) meeting in Austin, Texas, to discuss the ⁢implications of recent ASCO abstracts.

Przespolewski highlighted six notable abstracts, focusing on how oncology pharmacists can improve patient care, optimize treatment, reduce costs,⁣ and navigate new technologies and drug shortages. The discussions underscored the increasing importance of pharmacists in the multidisciplinary cancer care team.

Medication reconciliation ⁤in Phase 1 Trials

One key area discussed was medication reconciliation in phase 1 clinical trials. A study (Abstract‍ 1500) spanning from December 2022 to January 2025, involving 525 patients across 82 trials, emphasized the pharmacist’s role in thorough medication reviews post-consent.This includes assessing prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal⁢ supplements, cannabis use,⁤ and allergy adjustments.

The reconciliation process, while time-intensive (averaging 45 minutes per patient), is crucial. Pharmacists added an average of three ⁤medications, made two changes, and discontinued three per patient. They also identified underreported cannabis and herbal supplement use. The panel stressed that this process is vital for preventing ‍protocol violations and ensuring data integrity, especially with high-risk treatments like CAR T-cell therapies.

Remote Clinical Pharmacy

Abstract 1501 ⁢highlighted the impact of remote clinical pharmacy services in reducing health care costs. Seven remote specialists evaluated 5,600 patients from⁢ July 2023 to December 2024, implementing dose adjustments and therapeutic interchanges. this resulted in $8.9 million in cost savings, largely due to dose banding for pembrolizumab and adjustments in zoledronic acid use. The acceptance rate for these interventions was 93%.

Though, panelists questioned the long-term sustainability and replicability ⁤of these savings via electronic medical records (EMRs). While ⁢beneficial, ⁤Soefje suggested that the cost-effectiveness of remote⁣ pharmacist interventions might be limited without ⁢tangible improvements in patient outcomes.

Remote Supportive Care Management

A randomized clinical trial (Abstract 11003) evaluated remote supportive care for patients undergoing curative-intent cancer therapies. The study randomized 196 ‍patients to either usual in-clinic care or a remote care⁣ model involving daily symptom reporting and communication with the oncology team.

While no notable difference was found in emergency department visits or hospitalizations, remote monitoring reduced urgent clinic visits and improved⁤ quality of life in some patients. Soefje suggested a hybrid model, involving pharmacists, nurses, and social workers, for comprehensive care.

artificial Intelligence in Oncology

The integration of artificial ⁢intelligence (AI) was a central theme. Abstract 1564⁤ compared ChatGPT’s performance to expert oncologists⁤ in answering questions about hematologic malignancies. Oncologists’ responses were preferred 75%⁣ of the time,⁢ though AI identified correct answers 90% of the time. Panelists agreed that AI cannot yet replace human expertise, especially in nuanced decision-making.

Przespolewski and Soefje noted AI’s potential in data analysis but emphasized its lack of‍ intuition and contextual ‍understanding. ⁣Ethical concerns and patient trust ⁢were also discussed.

Patient Trust and AI

Abstract 1574 addressed patient trust in AI. A⁤ survey of 330 patients found that those under 65 and with higher distrust in health care were more skeptical. Patients ⁣were more comfortable with AI in low-risk areas like screening but less so in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Przespolewski emphasized the pharmacist’s role in educating patients⁤ about AI’s uses and limitations,‍ ensuring they still feel supported by human⁤ experts.

Drug ⁤Shortages: Impact on Treatment Decisions

Abstract 1506 focused⁢ on the impact of drug shortages on lung cancer treatment. Cisplatin and carboplatin shortages led‍ to increased ‍use ⁣of immunotherapies, notably in metastatic cases.

Panelists discussed how⁣ shortages ⁣disrupt treatment plans. Soefje explained ‍his institution’s⁣ collaborative approach to develop contingency plans. While current practices ⁣are reactive, predictive inventory management systems coudl help ⁤anticipate and prepare for shortages.

The future of oncology pharmacy will require greater collaboration ⁤across health care teams, ‍the integration of new technologies, and a focus on improving patient outcomes.

What’s next

The future of oncology pharmacy requires greater⁤ collaboration, technology integration, and a focus on patient outcomes.Standardizing metrics for pharmacist interventions is crucial to accurately document and value their contributions.