The role of pharmacist in handling drug-related problems in breast cancer patients at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital

Abstract

Background: DRP (Drug-Related Problems) affects the outcome of chemotherapy treatment to cancer patients. Matters related to DRP can be prevented by a pharmacist by providing drug information to doctors or other health professionals. The objective of this study was to determine the description of DRP, type of DRP, recommendations given by pharmacists on DRPs, acceptance of the results of recommendations and analysis of factors that affect DRPs.Methods: The research method was carried out through a cross sectional study in which observational data collection was conducted concurrently. The study population was all breast cancer patients from the Division of Surgical Oncology in the period January - April 2018 as many as 228 people. The collected data consisted of dosage suitability, suitability of carrier fluid volume, patient adherence to the schedule for breast cancer patients, recommendations given by pharmacists and the results of acceptance of pharmacist recommendations.Results: Based on research findings, the incidence of DRP was 76.3%. Most problems were regarding carrier fluid volume (64.5%) and dose mismatch (30%). There was also a DRP combination of carrier fluid volume and dose of 19%. The pharmacist’s recommendation was to change the dose by 15.52%, change the carrier fluid volume by 60.92%, and change the dose and volume of the carrier fluid by 23.56%. The recommended dosage received by doctors was 13 patients (7.47%), changing the volume of carrier fluid received by doctors by 106 patients (60.92%).Conclusions: Pharmacists can prevent DRPs through providing drug information to doctors or other health professionals so that increased communication between health professionals is required.