Overview of clinical pharmacy activities in geriatric oncology: A systematic review

Geriatric oncology is a multi-disciplinary field that aims to provide optimal care for older patients with cancer. The review's objective was to comprehensively describe the clinical activities undertaken by pharmacists in geriatric oncology, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and to assess their potential impacts.

This systematic review was performed by two pharmacists according to PRISMA guidelines and SQUIRE checklist for the quality assessment. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies written in English and French, published between 2010 and February 2024, that involved pharmacist-led interventions. Pharmaceutical care was analysed: description of activity and tools, pharmacist's impact, patient satisfaction, pharmaceutical interventions (PIs), medication safety, quality of life (Qol), disease outcome, or economic impact. The studies with no original format or off topic were excluded.

Six hundred fifty-eight articles were identified; 18 were included. Study designs were heterogeneous: pilot, prevalence, implementation studies, and randomized clinical trials. Two activities are described: medication review (100%) and medication therapy management (22%). Pharmacist's impact has been analysed (61%) and a reduction in drug related problem was noticed (n = 8) ranging from 28 to 73%. Pharmacists' interventions were described (n = 12) and their acceptance was quantified (n = 7) ranging from 22 to 91%. Two studies reported an economic impact, three assessed patient satisfaction, and one demonstrated a reduction in chemotherapy toxicity by 10.1%. Qol was not impacted.

The pharmacist's impact is measured by PIs' acceptance, patient satisfaction, or economic impact. A measure of impact on mortality or treatment tolerability seems necessary.