From the Chairman
"As 2019 comes to a close and we head into 2020, the anticancer treatment landscape continues to expand, as does the role of pharmacists in the patient care continuum."
As 2019 comes to a close and we head into 2020, the anticancer treatment landscape continues to expand, as does the role of pharmacists in the patient care continuum. In light of this ongoing evolution in cancer care, we launched this journal, Directions in Oncology PharmacyTM, with a goal to provide insight and education on areas such as new treatment regimens, optimal patient support, and adverse effect (AEs) management. For a complement to our popular Directions in Oncology PharmacyTM fall meeting series presented by Pharmacy Times Continuing EducationTM, see page 17 for an extensive recap of the recently completed fall meeting sessions to catch up on some of the developments you may have missed. Our outstanding continuing education meetings included insight into immune checkpoint inhibitors and oral and infusion therapies for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
Also in this issue, on page 43, Libin Philip, PharmD, provides an extensive overview of effective support techniques for patients experiencing AEs associated with targeted cancer therapies. As Philip notes, communicating and addressing effective strategies to mitigate AEs can improve clinical outcomes as well as the quality of life for patients on these therapies.
In addition to these articles, for those who were unable to attend any of the Directions in Oncology Pharmacy meetings, you can participate in live webinars on January 6 (pharmacytimes.org/live/advancements-in-the-treatment-of-hepatocellular-carcinoma) and January 16, 2020 (pharmacytimes.org/live/evolving-pharmacotherapy-options-in-melanoma). I urge you to take advantage of these free, continuing education—accredited activities to stay ahead in the evolving cancer care landscape.
As we enter 2020, make sure you stay on top of the latest developments in oncology pharmacy in this journal and on our revamped daily news website at PharmacyTimes.com. Follow us online and through our e-newsletters (sign up at pharmacytimes.org/signup) to assure you are providing the highest-quality patient care in the year ahead.
