Abstract
In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among pharmacists to determine the actual dispensing conditions of anti-cancer drugs and problems associated with dispensing drugs, especially after the drugs are taken out of individual packaging. Responses were obtained from 163 pharmacists who had experience in handling oral anticancer drugs. Of these, 76 answered that they had filled oral anti-cancer drug prescriptions, which involved single dose packaging, pulverization of the drug, capsule opening, or preparation of a simple suspension. A total of 107 specific cases involving 26 oral anti-cancer drugs were collected. The drugs were dispensed in accordance with prescriptions in 85 cases (the percentage of prescription questions asked in these cases was 13%) and not in accordance with prescriptions in 16 cases (69%), a prescription was canceled in one case (100%), and details were unknown in 5 cases. Matters noted by the respondents included being careful not to cross-contaminate drugs with other drugs and not to expose dispensers to powdered anti-cancer drugs, which are characteristically easily scattered. The respondents also requested the development of new formulations that do not need special preparation, are easy to dispense and are easy to take for the patients. In conclusion, the following is needed for pharmacists to dispense oral anti-cancer drugs safely and properly: 1) an environment that allows pharmacists to ask physicians about their prescriptions and to cooperate with health professionals by sharing information about anti-cancer regimens; and 2) improvement of the procedures and environment for dispensing such drugs.
