TS-1 is an oral anticancer agent used for a variety of cancers.In the clinical setting,many patients take TS-1 concomitantly with intravenous anticancer agents in several different regimens.In November,2006,we started giving consultation to outpatients taking TS-1 and undergoing chemotherapy concomitantly and providing continuous pharmaceutical care to enhance safety in their treatment.
We made a consultation sheet for each patient and managed the administration schedule using a TS-1 check sheet and stickers for patient notebooks,which were used on each visit.From November,2006 to April,2007,we provided 482 consultations to 85 patients taking TS-1.As a result of pharmacists checking administration schedules and compliance at every visit to the outpatient oncology unit,no errors were made in the administration period of TS-1 for any patient.Pharmacists advised patients not only concerning administration schedules and dosages of TS-1,but also about opium and other concomitantly administered medications.
The creation of the TS-1 check sheet has enabled pharmaceutical consultation to be standardized so every pharmacist can offer similar pharmaceutical consultation to each patient.Two-hundred-and-thirty-eight questions asked concerned anticancer agents (42%),medications other than anticancer agents (41%),opium (9%),and others (8%).Also,in 93 instances,pharmacists asked doctors to prescribe medications to prevent or reduce adverse effects that patients complained of and 96.8 % of such requests were reflected in prescriptions.
In conclusion,it is effective for pharmacists to provide continuous consultation to patients who are taking TS-1 and visiting the Outpatient Oncology Unit,and such consultation enables patients to participate in ensuring that their outpatient chemotherapy is both safe and effective.
