Service plans and clinical interventions targeted by the oncology pharmacist

Pharmacists are faced with a changing health care environment where they are being asked to demonstrate "value-added" to patient care. Because of the toxicity, complexity, intensity, and cost of cancer treatment, oncology pharmacists have opportunities to prevent adverse drug reactions, reduce costs, optimize drug regimens, and improve patient outcomes. Programs implemented by pharmacists practicing on a 40-bed adult inpatient oncology unit are described, including (1) chemotherapy quality improvement, (2) treatment of febrile neutropenia, and (3) management of peripheral blood cell transplant patients.