Pharmacists’ Views on Unmet Needs of Patients with Cancer and Pharmaceutical Care in Specialty Pharmacy: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to understand the perspective of pharmacists on cancer patients’ needs and the most meaningful pharmaceutical care in specialty pharmacies. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists working at hospitals and specialty pharmacies to survey their perspectives on unmet needs of cancer patients, the most valuable pharmaceutical care provided in specialty pharmacies, and strategies to improve pharmaceutical care. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results Five pharmacists from hospitals and 30 pharmacists from specialty pharmacies were interviewed. Cancer patients’ most concerned but unmet needs included efficacy, safety, cost, accessibility of the medications, informational needs, and humanistic care. Difficulties hospitals might have in managing pharmaceutical care included conducting patient education, counseling, follow-up after hospital discharge, and supply for anticancer agents. Pharmacists claimed that the most valued pharmaceutical care measures provided in specialty pharmacies were financial assistance, medication supply, follow-up, patient education and counseling, information provision, and adverse drug reaction management. Pharmaceutical care in specialty pharmacies could be improved through continuing education for pharmacists in specialty pharmacies, the construction of patient communication platforms, and linkage with hospitals to collaboratively provide pharmaceutical care. Conclusions Cancer patients had plenty of unmet needs that remained uncovered by physicians and pharmacists at hospitals, for which specialty pharmacies can be an addition to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care.