The prospective design of this study, sample size, and randomization increases the likelihood that our estimates are accurate and increase the generalizability of our findings. Most DRPs attributed to hospital admissions or visits were avoidable. Direct patient contact with pharmacist and family physician was beneficial in providing a safe and effective therapy. Corrective, preventive and educational strategies should concentrate on the most frequently reported populations, diseases and medications. The study addresses the proper use of medications to ensure the best outcomes of pharmacological interventions. Finally, more studies with longer duration focusing on DRPs in Saudi Arabia are needed.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to several critical challenges that impacted the healthcare system worldwide. Many guidelines have been developed internationally and nationally aiming to minimize the risk of infection and its sequential complications. Cancer patients on active treatment are at higher risk to get infected either due to the disease itself or the cancer treatment and other comorbid diseases. In this manuscript we share our local experience while delivering oncology services during the COVID-19 pandemic at Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab are approved by Food and Drug Administration for patients diagnosed with metastatic solid tumors with high microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR). The prognosis of these patients is generally poor, that is why it is very essential to identify the targeted patients who can benefit from immunotherapy. Pembrolizumab is approved in our institution for this indication. In order to ensure proper utilization of available resources, we decided to make a pilot retrospective review to evaluate pembrolizumab utilization, to identify the problems we are facing then to set an action plan through multidisciplinary approach. Based on the results we set recommendations. This paper is innovative and the first in kind. It could be used as guidance for other centers using immunotherapy and could be applied for other drugs as well to ensure best practice, patient safety and maximize utilization of resources.
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