Developing and implementing an oral oncology drug repository program is logistically possible but additional research is needed to incorporate pharmacy services into patient care (JCO Oncol Pract. 2020;OP2000513. doi:10.1200/OP.20.00513).
Patients are often unable to afford oral oncology drugs due to high costs.
“Developing and implementing an oral oncology drug repository program can provide cost savings and waste reduction opportunities to oncology patients and health care systems,” wrote Lauren Stanz, PharmD, MS, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, OH) and colleagues.
Researchers identified strategies to implement an oral drug repository program. The strategies include:
1) Define patient eligibility requirements for the collected drug;
2) Ensure patients have long-term availability to preferred treatment;
3) Identify optimal oral oncology drugs to use;
4) Provide safe drug collection with protocol;
5) Calculate the amount of resources needed to provide services;
6) Obtain adequate space to operate safely and efficiently;
7) Establish safe disposal of the drug deemed inappropriate for use;
8) Spread awareness to prospective patient participants.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center oral oncology drug repository contains 11 drug collections. Future plans include expanding the programs scope by including more drugs and reaching more patients.
“Developing and implementing an oral oncology drug repository program for patients was logistically feasible due to strategic planning with many early successes,” explained Dr Stanz and colleagues. “As national attention continues to be placed on reducing oral oncology drug costs, additional research is needed regarding strategies to best incorporate pharmacy services into innovative patient care opportunities.”—Lisa Kuhns
