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Patients’ perspectives and safe handling of oral anticancer drugs at an Asian cancer center

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, phaac{at}nus.edu.sg, Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore

Yumei Cynthia Leow

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Mui Hian Sim

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Background. In view of the increased usage of oral anticancer drugs in the contemporary treatment of cancer, we aimed to examine cancer patients’ perspectives of oral anticancer drugs, through a survey at an Asian cancer centre. This study also intended to describe patients’ behavior regarding storage, handling, and administration of oral anticancer drugs.

Methods. This cross sectional survey was conducted at a single site. The interviewer-administered survey was undertaken at the outpatient pharmacy of National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), the largest ambulatory cancer center in Singapore, between January and March 2008. Eligible patients had received at least one cycle of oral anticancer agent treatment or had been taking oral anticancer agents continuously for 3 months.

Results. A total of 126 patients were surveyed. Median age of surveyed patients was 58 years (range 31—85 years). The drugs involved were capecitabine (39.7% of patients), tamoxifen (23.1%), aromatase inhibitors (18.2%), gefitinib (9.1%), and imatinib (3.3%). Over 90% patients self-administered their oral anticancer drugs. The majority of the patients (94.2%) reported no difficulties in adherence to their oral anticancer treatment regimens. Forty per cent of patients reported habitually washing their hands after administering their anticancer drugs. None of the patients, except two patients receiving capecitabine, indicated that they habitually used gloves to handle their oral anticancer medications. Conclusion. The majority of patients receiving oral anticancer agents reported no difficulty in adhering to their oral anticancer treatment regimens as prescribed. However, this survey demonstrated the need to improve patients’ understanding of the requirements for storage, handling and safe administration of oral anticancer drugs.

Key Words: oral anticancer drugs • cancer • patients’ perspective • safe handling

This version was published on September 1, 2009

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 15, No. 3, 161-165 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1078155208100584


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