Pharmaceutical cancer care for haematology patients on oral anticancer drugs: Findings from an economic, clinical and organisational analysis

Objective: The clinical benefit of pharmaceutical cares in improving the quality-of-care outcomes is well demonstrated. Clinical pharmacy services are not systematically deployed in cancer units in the absence of economic data. The aim of this prospective, observational 1-year study was to evaluate the clinical, economic and organisational impacts of pharmaceutical care into a multidisciplinary day hospital for patients treated with oral cancer drugs.

Methods: All pharmacists' interventions (PI) were documented and their impact and the probability of adverse drug events were assessed using the clinical, economic and organisational tool.

Results: Among 360 admissions, an average of 1.81 PI per admission was accepted. Among 452 PI leading to a clinical benefit on the patient, 16.9% had a major impact, and 1.9% had an impact on survival. The large majority of PIs (87%) increased the quality-of-care organisation. The budget impact model showed a total cost savings and cost avoidance of €539,047 per year and a cost-benefit ratio of 7.07:1. The direct cost-benefit was €201,741, and the cost avoidance was €337,306.

Conclusion: Multidisciplinary care and pharmaceutical care are key elements to improve cancer patients' outcomes and avoid evitable healthcare costs.