Posaconazole versus voriconazole as antifungal prophylaxis for invasive fungal diseases in patients with hematological malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) has risen in hematologic malignancy patients due to neutropenia. While posaconazole is recommended as the first-line antifungal prophylaxis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients and voriconazole is an alternative, there is currently no direct comparison data available to assess their relative effectiveness. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed eligible patient charts from January 2017 to February 2019 to identify breakthrough IFD rates, drug adverse event frequency, and drug acquisition cost in AML/MDS patients. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients received 130 chemo cycles, with 50 (38%) cycles prescribed posaconazole and 80 (62%) prescribed voriconazole as primary IFD prophylaxis. The incidence rates of IFD in the posaconazole group were 8% (4 out of 50), of which two were probable and two were possible infections, while 6.26% (5 out of 80) of patients in the voriconazole group developed IFD, with four possible infections and one probable infection (p = 0.73). A higher percentage of patients in the voriconazole group discontinued prophylaxis due to adverse events, with six patients compared to two patients in the posaconazole group (p = 0.15). The drug acquisition cost of posaconazole is 5.62 times more expensive than voriconazole. CONCLUSION: The use of voriconazole instead of posaconazole for 130 chemo cycles would save $166,584.6. Posaconazole and voriconazole have comparable efficacy and safety in preventing IFD in AML and MDS patients receiving chemotherapy. However, posaconazole is more costly than voriconazole.

Comparative Assessment of Drug Lag for Approved Oncology Targeted Therapies Between Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union.

INTRODUCTION: Pharmaceutical regulation on a global scale is a complex process, with regulatory bodies overseeing various aspects, including licensing, registration, manufacturing, marketing, and labeling. Among these, the USFDA plays a crucial role in upholding public health. The pharmaceutical industry contributes significantly to well-being by developing and distributing therapeutic agents. The journey of evaluating new pharmaceuticals involves meticulous examination through several phases, from safety and efficacy assessments to toxicity evaluation. Drug approval involves submitting New Drug Applications (NDAs) to regulatory agencies like the USFDA and EMA. However, disparities in durations contribute to the phenomenon known as "drug lag." This lag refers to delays in a pharmaceutical product's availability in one market compared to another. Addressing this issue is crucial, given its impact on patient access to treatments. METHOD: This study aims to analyze the extent of drug lag, focusing on newly approved oncology targeted therapies in Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the European Union. Data for cancer treatments authorized by the USFDA, EMA, and SFDA from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2022, were collected from regulatory agency websites. The data sources included authorization letters, prescription information, and evaluation documents. We conducted a comparative assessment of drug lag for approved oncology targeted therapies between Saudi Arabia, the US, and the EU. RESULT: Our analysis identified 135 newly approved oncology-targeted drugs within the specified timeframe. Of these, 71 received approval in all three regions, while disparities were evident in others. The USFDA consistently had the highest number of approved drugs, with 98.5% of drugs initially approved there. In contrast, Saudi Arabia had the lowest number of approved drugs and a significantly longer median drug lag, indicating substantial delays in drug availability. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significance of mitigating drug lag to enhance global healthcare outcomes and patient access to innovative therapies. Further research and collaborative efforts are essential to bridging these disparities and promoting equitable healthcare worldwide.

Revitalizing oncology medications access in Saudi Arabia: Current challenges and recommendations by the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly.

BACKGROUND: Cancer care is posing immense challenges to healthcare systems globally. Advances in screening, monitoring, and treating cancer improved patient outcomes and survival rates yet amplified the disease burden. Multiple barriers might impede early access to innovative therapies. We thoroughly examined the current challenges in oncology medication access in Saudi Arabia and provided consensus recommendations to revitalize the process. METHODS: A focus group discussion was conducted. Expert healthcare providers (pharmacists and physicians) were invited to participate based on prespecified criteria. The research team conducted a qualitative analysis of the discussion to identify themes and formulate recommendations. RESULTS: Fourteen experts were equally distributed into two groups, limiting the number in each group to 7. Pharmacists were 12 (∼86%), and physicians were 2 (∼14%). Ten were practicing in governmental hospitals, four representing different sectors; regulatory bodies, including Ministry of Health, National Unified Procurement Company, and Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Five themes were identified: national cancer burden, local data availability, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, patients reported outcomes, administration, and procurement. Consensus recommendations were formulated to optimize the formulary management process, enabling informed decision-making and facilitating early medication access for cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: The formulary management process can be enhanced by addressing the national cancer burden, promoting local data availability, conducting pharmacoeconomic evaluations, focusing on patient outcomes, and improving administration and procurement procedures. Implementing these recommendations can improve access to oncology medications and improve patient care outcomes in Saudi Arabia.

The Incidence of Hematological Toxicities in Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With Fluoropyrimidine-Based Regimens at Princess Noorah Oncology Center.

Background Fluoropyrimidine-based regimens are used for the management of colorectal cancer, which is the second most common cancer in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to study the incidence of hematological toxicities in colorectal cancer patients treated with fluoropyrimidine and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens at Princess Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Methods A retrospective cohort study that included adult colorectal cancer patients who were treated with fluoropyrimidine-based regimens from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 at Princess Noorah Oncology Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was performed. Our primary objective was to determine the incidence of anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia in colorectal cancer patients treated with fluoropyrimidines and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens. Secondary objectives were to assess the grade of hematological toxicities associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) use and to determine the frequency of unplanned hospital admissions or emergency department (ED) visits after receiving fluoropyrimidine-based regimens. The collected data contained patients' characteristics (weight, height, age, gender, and diagnosis), chemotherapy agents, and hematological toxicity-related findings such as absolute neutrophil count, hemoglobin, platelet count, and number of ED visits or hospital admissions during fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy regimens. Results Of the 570 cycles of the fluoropyrimidine-based regimen received by 68 patients, hematological toxicities were observed in 508 (89.1%) cycles, and grade ≥ 3 grade toxicities were found in 46 (8.1%) cycles. The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia between patients who received bolus administration of 5-FU and those who did not (8.5% vs. 2.3% respectively, p=0.025). The incidence of grade 3-4 anemia was higher in the bolus group (11.3%) compared to the group where bolus was omitted (4.6%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.059). Furthermore, there was no significant difference among the two groups for grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (0.0% with bolus given and 0.7% with bolus omission p=1.00). Conclusion Our retrospective study showed that there have been significantly higher grade 3-4 hematological toxicities observed with bolus administration of 5-FU, which confirms the previous reports.

Comparison of Biosimilar Filgrastim with Innovator Fligrastim for Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Mobilization, Collection of CD34+ Stem Cells, and Engraftment in Patients Undergoing Autologous and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND In the Middle East, there is lack of data on peripheral blood CD34+stem cells mobilization by using biosimilar filgrastim. We have been using both Neupogen and a biosimilar G-CSF) Zarzio® (as a mobilizing agent since February 2014 for both allogenic and autologous stem cell transplantations. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a single-center retrospective study. All patients and healthy donors who received either the biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio®) or original G-CSF (Neupogen®) for mobilization of CD34+ stem cells were included in the study. The primary goal was to determine and compare the rate of successful harvest and amount of CD34+ stem cells collected in either adult cancer patients or healthy donors between Zarzio® and Neupogen® groups. RESULTS A total of 114 patients, including 97 cancer patients and 17 healthy donors, underwent successful CD34+ stem cell mobilization using G-CSF with chemotherapy (35 with Zarzio® +chemotherapy, 39 with Neupogen® +chemotherapy) or G-CSF as monotherapy (14 with Zarzio®, 9 with Neupogen®) in autologous transplantation. In an allogeneic stem cell transplantation, successful harvest was achieved by using G-CSF monotherapy (8 with Zarzio®, 9 with Neupogen®). There was no difference between Zarzio® and Neupogen® in the amount of CD34+ stem cells collected at leukapheresis. There was no difference with regards to secondary outcomes between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio®) has comparable efficacy to the original G-CSF (Neupogen®) when used for mobilization in both autologous and allogenic stem cell transplantation and was associated with significant cost saving.

Implementing Oncology Pharmacy Boot Camp for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Students at a Regional Conference in Saudi Arabia.

Background Upon graduation, pharmacy students are expected to possess a diverse array of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. A subject-specific boot camp may support bridging the gap between the information and skills gained during clerkships, courses required for pharmacy school after graduation, and skills needed for the job market, as well as the gap between pharmacy school and residency. This research aimed to determine whether an integrated boot camp increased Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student self-confidence and enhanced students' knowledge in oncology pharmacy. Method APPE students who attended the annual meeting of the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly (SOPA)/International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) Regional Conference 2021 were voluntarily enrolled in a three-hour oncology-focused boot camp consisting of interactive lectures. Pre- and post-intervention examinations were used to evaluate student learning outcomes and their experience feedback. Result Of 118 students who attended the boot camp, 80 students who met the criteria were included in the study. The pre- and post-intervention examinations were completed by the 80 APPE students. The pre-intervention test results (mean: 66%, standard deviation (SD): 16%) increased by 21.5% after the boot camp (mean: 87.5%, SD: 12%, p = 0.001). Students scored better on each of the 10 test questions, with nine questions demonstrating a statistically significant result. Conclusion The results of this research showed that interns who participated in an oncology boot camp had a higher level of knowledge and confidence in applying key oncology concepts. Interns were satisfied with the chance to engage in the activity, and they agreed to adding boot camps to future conferences would be valuable. This research shows that it is possible to hold a transitional boot camp during conferences to better prepare students for their fields of study and increase their participation in oncology conferences.

Cost-efficiency analysis of conversion to biosimilar filgrastim for supportive cancer care and resultant expanded access analysis to supportive care and early-stage HER2+ breast cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia: simulation study.

AIMS: This study estimated, for Saudi Arabia, the cost-efficiency of converting patients from reference Neupogen and Neulastim to one of two filgrastim biosimilars (Nivestim, Zarzio); the budget-neutral expanded access to supportive care with biosimilar filgrastim and therapeutic care to ado-trastuzumab emtansine thus afforded; and the number-needed-to-convert (NNC) to provide supportive or therapeutic treatment to one patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Replicating prior studies, we modeled the cost-efficiencies gained from converting varying proportions of a hypothetical panel of 4,000 patients undergoing six cycles of cancer treatment from Neupogen or Neulastim to one of the two biosimilar G-CSF formulations, using national cost inputs. Cost-savings in USD were used to estimate the additional doses of biosimilar G-CSF and expanded access to ado-trastuzumab emtansine on a budget-neutral basis, and NNC to purchase one additional dose of supportive or therapeutic treatment. RESULTS: Savings from conversion from reference to a biosimilar filgrastim were $3,086,400 (Nivestim) and $3,460,800 (Zarzio). With reference pegfilgrastim, savings from conversion were $11,712,240 (Nivestim) and $12,086,640 (Zarzio). Biosimilar conversion from reference to biosimilar filgrastim enabled expanded access to ado-trastuzumab emtansine ranging from 61 patients (5 days, Nivestim) to 191 patients (14 days, Zarzio). For supportive care, biosimilar conversion enabled expanded access ranging from 8,244 patients (5 days, Nivestim) to 25,882 patients (14 days, Zarzio). For biosimilar conversion from daily filgrastim, the NNC for treatment with ado-trastuzumab emtansine decreased as days of injections increased [5 days: 395 (Nivestim), 352 (Zarzio); 14 days: 141(Nivestim), 126 (Zarzio)]. Alternately, for biosimilar conversion from single-injection pegfilgrastim to daily biosimilar filgrastim, the NNC for treatment with ado-trastuzumab emtansine rose as days of injections increased, being highest under the 14-day scenario (146, Nivestim; 130, Zarzio). CONCLUSION: This simulation study demonstrated significant potential cost-savings from biosimilar conversion. These savings provide budget-neutral increased access to supportive and therapeutic cancer care.

Real-World Experience of Monitoring Practice of Endocrinopathies Associated with the Use of Novel Targeted Therapies among Patients with Solid Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Cancer treatments have gradually evolved into targeted molecular therapies characterized by a unique mechanism of action instead of non-specific cytotoxic chemotherapies. However, they have unique safety concerns. For instance, endocrinopathies, which are defined as unfavorable metabolic alterations including thyroid disorders, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and adrenal insufficiency necessitate additional monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of monitoring errors and develop strategies for monitoring cancer patients who receive targeted therapies. METHOD: A retrospective chart review was used to assess the prevalence of monitoring errors of endocrinopathies among cancer patients who received targeted therapies over one year. All of the adult cancer patients diagnosed with a solid tumor who received targeted therapies were included. The primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of monitoring errors of endocrinopathies. The secondary outcomes were to assess the incidences of endocrinopathies and referral practice to endocrinology services. RESULTS: A total of 128 adult patients with solid tumors were involved. The primary outcome revealed a total of 148 monitoring errors of endocrinopathies. Monitoring errors of the lipid profile and thyroid functions were the most common error types in 94% and 92.6% of the patients treated with novel targeted therapies, respectively. Subsequently, 57% of the monitoring errors in the blood glucose measures were identified. Targeted therapies caused 63 events of endocrinopathies, hyperglycemia in 32% of the patients, thyroid disorders in 15.6% of them and dyslipidemia in 1.5% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a high prevalence of monitoring errors among the cancer patients who received targeted therapies which led to endocrinopathies. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to monitoring strategies and following up on the appropriate referral process.

Opioid-induced respiratory depression and risk factors in a tertiary hospital: A retrospective study.

Background: Opioids are potent analgesics used for the treatment of moderate to severe acute and chronic cancer and non-cancer pain. However, opioid usage may be limited by negative side effects, such as potentially life-threatening respiratory depression. Objectives: The aim of our study is to investigate the prevalence of opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) and its predictors at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah (KAMC-JD). Method: This is a retrospective cross-sectional (chart review) study conducted from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. Results: A total of 15,753 patients received opioids during admission to KAMC-JD, and only 144 (0.915%) of them received naloxone from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Only 91 patients (0.57%) developed opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), which was more frequently reported among young and middle-aged adults. OIRD was significantly associated with receiving a daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dose of ≥150 MME and with having a low urea concentration at the baseline and at admission under surgery. Also, fentanyl use remained a significant risk factor for OIRD. Conclusion: In conclusion, monitoring patient receiving opioids with a daily MME dose of ≥150 MME, prescribed Fentanyl, low urea concentration at the baseline, and patients' admissions to the surgery department may mitigate the risk of developing OIRD.

Pharmacy practitioners' adherence to safe-handling practices of chemotherapeutic drugs: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy drug handling and occupational exposure are topics of concern for a variety of oncology health care professionals. Inappropriate handling can pose health risks to practitioners particularly, those who handle them on a daily basis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess chemotherapy handling practices among oncology pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey with a structured pre-validated questionnaire. Data was collected from pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who handle chemotherapeutic agents in Saudi Arabia, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 79 oncology pharmacy practitioners responded to the survey. The majority (92.4%) had written chemotherapy guidelines at their workplaces. Almost all participants (98.7%) reported the availability of protective gloves and gowns, however, the availability of eye protection was only 57%. Most used chemotherapy-designated gloves (83.6%), and gowns (86.1%). However, 54.4% have reused disposable gowns. The extent of utilization of most protective equipment ranged from 70% (always using closed system transfer device) to 98% (always using shoe cover); while the practice of always using eye protection and face shield was only 30.4% and 38%, respectively. With regard to cleaning practice, the work area was cleaned at least once a day by 35%; monthly decontamination (77%); certification by the biomedical department every 6 months (67%) and at least yearly (95%). Accidental exposure was reported by 28%, and the most common adverse effect was skin irritation (82%). There was no workplace medical surveillance available for 50%. The majority (88.6%) received relevant training, but not periodic updates on their training (38%). The main barriers against the use of personal protective equipment were: that some personal protective equipments were not always available (38%), and personal protective equipments were too uncomfortable to use (30.4%). The demographic variables did not have a statistically significant effect (p > 0.05) on the responses except for type of institution (workplace) on some of the cleaning practices that showed significant differences namely, the monthly decontamination and certification by the biomedical department. CONCLUSIONS: Most protective equipment and chemotherapy guidelines were available, and the majority of pharmacy practitioners adhered to many aspects of chemotherapy safe-handling practices. Nevertheless, some areas such as medical surveillance programs, use of eye protection and face shields, the practice of re-using disposable gowns, some of the barriers against personal protective equipment use, and the provision of periodic training need improvement for better protection of the health care professionals.

Safety and discontinuation rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors used in patients with solid and hematological malignancies. A population based retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors caused a paradigm shift in cancer treatment and led to a major improvement in clinical outcomes. However, they may induce inflammatory side effects that are known as immune-related adverse effect (iRAE). This study aimed to assess the safety profile and discontinuation rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. METHODS: Adult cancer patients ≥18 years who received at least one dose of immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) were included. The primary endpoint was the rate of permanent discontinuation of immune checkpoint inhibitors due to immune-related adverse effects. The secondary endpoints were rate and type of specific organ iRAEs, interventions used to treat specific organ iRAEs, and discontinuation rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors due to disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were included in the study with a median age of 60 years [IQR: 46-72 years]. Of 75 patients, 7 patients (9.33%) have permanently discontinued ICIs due to immune-related adverse effects. Seven iRAEs occurred in the 7 patients who have permanently discontinued ICIs. Steroids were the main treatment used for 8 patients, followed by levothyroxine for 2 patients and one patient did not receive any medication. The discontinuation rate due to disease progression was reported in 32 patients (42.66%). CONCLUSION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors were well tolerated in the majority of our patient population with a comparable rate of immunerelated adverse effects in comparison to the published data. Corticosteroids were fundamentally used to treat immune-related adverse effects.

Impact of coronavirus of 2019 on the delivery of pharmacy services to patients with cancer: An international survey of oncology pharmacy practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus of 2019 pandemic has necessitated vast and rapid changes in the way oncology pharmacy services are delivered around the world. METHODS/AIMS: An international survey of oncology pharmacists and technicians was conducted via the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners and collaborating global pharmacy organisations to determine the impact that the coronavirus of 2019 has had on pharmacy service delivery, pharmacy practitioners and oncology practice. RESULTS: The survey received 862 responses from 40 different countries from September to October 2020. The majority of respondents were pharmacists (n = 841, 97.6%), with 24% involved in the direct care of patients with the coronavirus of 2019. Of the survey participants, 55% increased their time working remotely, with remote activities including dispensing, patient assessment/follow-up and attending multi-disciplinary rounds. Respondents reported a 72% increase in the use of technology to perform remote patient interaction activities and that participation in educational meetings and quality improvement projects was reduced by 68% and 44%, respectively. Workforce impacts included altered working hours (50%), cancelled leave (48%) and forced leave/furloughing (30%). During the pandemic, respondents reported reduced access to intensive care (19%) and anti-cancer (15%) medications. In addition, 39% of respondents reported reduced access to personal protective equipment, including N95 masks for chemotherapy compounding. Almost half of respondents (49%) reported that cancer treatments were delayed or intervals were altered for patients being treated with curative intent. A third of practitioners (30%) believed that patient outcomes would be adversely impacted by changes to pharmacy services. Sixty-five percent of respondents reported impacts on their mental health, with 12% utilising support services. CONCLUSION: The coronavirus of 2019 pandemic has altered the way oncology pharmacy services are delivered. These results demonstrate the adaptability of the oncology pharmacy profession and highlight the importance of formal evaluation of the varied practice models to determine the evidence-based practices that enhance pharmacy services and, thus, should be reinstated as soon as practical and reasonable.

Cancer Management in Saudi Arabia: Recommendations by the Saudi Oncology HeAlth Economics ExpeRt GrouP (SHARP).

Cancer is widely recognized as a major global health problem and is estimated to rank as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Saudi Arabia has undergone remarkable socioeconomic development in the past 40 years which has contributed to the increase in cancer incidence. The high costs of new oncology medications in combination with uncertainty of long-term effectiveness and safety outcomes highlight the importance of considering value, in terms of clinical outcomes, relative to cost. We convened a group of experts to discuss key factors impacting the current state of cancer management in Saudi Arabia and to agree on a list of recommendations, with a focus on value-based care, considering evidence, patients, and costs.

Evaluation of handling, storage, and disposal practices of oral anticancer medications among cancer patients and their caregivers at home setting in the Princess Noorah Oncology Center.

BACKGROUD: Oral medications are commonly prescribed for many cancer patients. Unfortunately, most of them are dispensed without proper counseling about handling practices. We aimed to evaluate the handling, storage, and disposal practices of oral anticancer medications among cancer patients and their caregivers at home. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was filled in by adult cancer patients or caregivers who received oral anticancers and/or visited an outpatient pharmacy over two months. RESULTS: A total of 201 participants were interviewed, 67% were female, and nearly 44% were between 40 and 60 years of age. The majority of participants were educated (78%). The top five medications involved were: tamoxifen, capecitabine, letrozole, dasatinib, and imatinib. More than 95% of participants reported that medications were kept away from children and pets in the original container and stored away from extreme heat, cold, and humidity. Hand washing and wearing gloves were not consistently practiced. Only 5% reported "Always" wearing gloves, while 24% reported "Always" washing hands after handling anticancer medications. The participants reported that they had been informed about safe handling and storage by their physician (39%) and pharmacist (25%), while 34% had not been informed. In terms of disposal practices, 66% of patients have not had any unused or expired medications, 29% disposed them in the trash, and 27% returned them. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients and caregivers' handling practices of oral anticancer medications are inconsistent with the published recommendations. Hence, appropriate and comprehensive education is needed to mitigate the risk of exposure to these agents in the home setting.

Practical strategies to manage cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly Experts recommendations.

PURPOSE: During COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients are considered one of the most vulnerable to infection since they tend to have advanced age, multiple comorbidities, and are often immunosuppressed by their cancer or therapy. Hence, the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly has issued recommendations to reduce the frequency of cancer patients' visits to oncology centers during the pandemic while maintaining the access to cancer therapy and minimize the risk of exposure to coronavirus disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative methodological approach was conducted in April 2020 using a virtual panel discussion for collection of recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 12 expert oncology pharmacy practitioners shared their knowledge and experiences in managing oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants recognized many fundamental recommendations that were already applied in many cancer centers since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. On that basis, the panelists developed eight practice-related recommendations for action, with a main focus on cancer treatment modification. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, delivering cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic carries significant challenges. This paper addressed suggestions to properly manage cancer patients during difficult times. Implementing changes in practice mandates a national collaborative effort from different sectors to guarantee the quality and continuity of care. The SOPA expert panel developed these recommendations, to ultimately contribute in maintaining access to cancer therapy while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Emerging Role of Biosimilars in Oncology-Hematology in Saudi Arabia: A Practical Perspective.

Biologics are significant drivers of globally escalating healthcare costs. Biosimilars have potential to offer cost savings with comparable efficacy and safety to innovator products and increase the access of treatment to more patients. This study aimed to increase understanding and perception of biosimilars concept. It also described the pharmacoeconomic impact of biosimilar in oncology and formulary consideration of oncology biosimilars substituting with their originators in major oncology centers in the Saudi Arabia. A biosimilar is a biological product that is similar to a reference biopharmaceutical product. As the manufacturing process hinders the ability to identically replicate the structure of the original product, biosimilar cannot be described as an absolute equivalent of the original medication. Different regulatory agencies such as United States Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and Saudi Food and Drug Authority have approved several biosimilars of oncology biologics. The experience of biosimilar use in Europe and USA provides valuable insights into the use of biosimilars. The widespread use of biosimilars has the potential to reduce healthcare expenditure, as well as improving access without compromising patient outcomes. There is a need for increasing awareness about biosimilars to improve acceptance rates. The use of biosimilar filgrastim in Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Saudi Arabia, has resulted in a significant cost saving annually. It was proposed that further substitution and switching to biosimilars in oncology would lead to major savings in resources.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Induced Splenic Infarction in Breast Cancer Patient Treated with Dose-Dense Chemotherapy Regimen.

INTRODUCTION: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used for prevention and treatment of febrile neutropenia among solid tumor patients. It is considered an effective and relatively safe supportive care medication; however, it can cause rare and serious side effects such as spleen rupture or infarction. CASE PRESENTATION: We are reporting a case of a 27-year-old female with breast cancer who has been treated with dose-dense chemotherapy and received colony-stimulating factor as primary prevention of febrile neutropenia that was complicated halfway through with splenic infarction. This finding was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan and splenic biopsy. Management was conservative without the need of surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Although splenic infarction is an extremely rare side effect of G-CSF, it can be a serious complication that should be recognized, monitored, and managed carefully.

Prescribing Empiric Antibiotics for Febrile Neutropenia: Compliance with Institutional Febrile Neutropenia Guidelines.

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncologic emergency which should be treated immediately with empiric antibiotics. Different institutions observe different antibiograms and use different FN management guidelines. Our center implemented FN management guidelines for adult cancer patients in 2009. Hence, we decided to assess compliance with FN management guidelines and to describe the pattern of bacterial infections. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study on all adult cancer patients admitted with FN. Data were collected from electronic medical records between January and December 2014. Results: One hundred FN episodes met the study inclusion criteria. The mean age of the patients was 41 ± 17 years; 52% (52 patients) were women. The most common diagnosis was lymphoma (33%). In terms of compliance to institutional FN guidelines, 55% of patients received guideline non-compliant treatment. The most common non-compliant treatment was incorrect amikacin dosing in 31% of patients, followed by incorrect vancomycin dosing in 20%, incorrect piperacillin/tazobactam dosing in 19%, inappropriate use of carbapenems in 18%, and non-compliant vancomycin use in 12% of patients. Bacterial isolates were only observed in 19% of the FN episodes. Among these 19 episodes of FN, Gram-negative pathogens were predominant and were identified in 74% of the episodes, followed by Gram-positive pathogens in 16% and polymicrobial pathogens in 10%. The mean time to defervescence was 2.21 ± 2 days. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there was a high percentage of non-compliance with our institutional FN management guidelines. We recommend following appropriate empiric antibiotic doses and indications as per institutional guidelines.

Polypharmacy and Medication-Related Problems in Hemodialysis Patients: A Call for Deprescribing.

Polypharmacy is a common problem among hemodialysis patients. It is associated with increased hospital admissions, morbidity, mortality, Medication-Related Problems (MRPs), and expenditures. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of polypharmacy in our setting. This study aims to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and MRPs and to assess its predictors. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the outpatient hemodialysis unit. A pharmacy resident assessed electronic prescribing records to identify MRPs and discussed therapeutic interventions to enhance effective therapeutic regimens over a three months period. Eighty-three patients were included. The median age was 63 (Interquartile range; IQR = 22), 50% were males, and the mean number of co-morbidities was 3.14 ± 1.64. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 97.6% with a 95% CI (91.6%⁻99.7%). Medication use without indication, was the highest identified MRPs at 36% (102/280), followed by subtherapeutic dosing at 23% (65/280), and overdosing at 15% (41/280). The number of comorbidities, the presence of ischemic heart disease, and respiratory diseases were the main predictors of the increased number of medications. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the Saudi hemodialysis population. A review of the medications prescribed by the pharmacist facilitated the identification of MRPs and provided opportunities for deprescribing to optimize medication use and to reduce polypharmacy in hemodialysis patients.