Pharmacist's role in the validation of chemotherapy prescriptions

IntroductionThe complexity of chemotherapy protocols and the narrow therapeutic index of anticancer drugs make the risk of medication errors particularly high in oncology. This study analyzed and categorized pharmaceutical interventions related to chemotherapy prescriptions in a clinical hematology center.MethodsThis study was conducted in a specialized clinical hematology center over a defined study period (16 months). All chemotherapy prescriptions validated by clinical pharmacists were reviewed. Validation was performed according to both regulatory and scientific criteria. Identified therapy-related problems were discussed with physicians, and all pharmaceutical interventions were recorded and classified according to the ReMeD severity scale.ResultsA total of 6186 chemotherapy prescriptions were analyzed, leading to 117 pharmaceutical interventions. The most common errors involved dosage errors (n = 51;49.03%), omission of prescription (n = 23;22.11%) and incorrect treatment duration (n = 11;10.57%). Most interventions were rated as having a major clinical impact, particularly those preventing omission and posology errors, ensuring optimal chemotherapy management and patient safety. All interventions were accepted by physicians, highlighting strong interdisciplinary collaboration.ConclusionPharmaceutical interventions represent a key component in improving the safety and quality of chemotherapy management. Strengthening the pharmacist's integration into oncology teams ensures better therapeutic outcomes, reduces medication-related risks, and supports a culture of safe and evidence-based cancer care.