Drug Related Problems in Chemotherapy of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Drug Related Problems (DRPs) in cancer chemotherapy can have severe consequences originating from the high toxicity and narrow therapeutic range of anticancer drugs. \r Objective: This study was conducted to investigate drug-related problems and factors associated with it in hospitalized cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.\r Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from January to June 2013. A total of 367 study participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique and data were collected by medical chart review using data abstraction format.\r Results: Four hundred seventy four drug-related problems were identified in 274 patients among the 367 patients, which gave rise to a prevalence of 74.7%. The most prevalent drug-related problems was adverse drug reaction (45.5%) followed by dosing problem (37.9%). The risk factors for DRPs were number of medications, comorbidity and length of hospital stay.\r Conclusion: Drug related problems were common among cancer patients in our set up indicating a need for intervention like involvement of a pharmacist for better therapeutic outcome.