title: The oncology pharmacy in cancer care delivery in a resource-constrained setting in western Kenya.
abstract: The movement to deliver cancer care in resource-limited settings is gaining momentum, with particular emphasis on the creation of cost-effective, rational algorithms utilizing affordable chemotherapeutics to treat curable disease. The delivery of cancer care in resource-replete settings is a concerted effort by a team of multidisciplinary care providers. The oncology pharmacy, which is now considered integral to cancer care in resourced medical practice, developed over the last several decades in an effort to limit healthcare provider exposure to workplace hazards and to limit risk to patients. In developing cancer care services in resource-constrained settings, creation of oncology pharmacies can help to both mitigate the risks to practitioners and patients, and also limit the costs of cancer care and the environmental impact of chemotherapeutics. This article describes the experience and lessons learned in establishing a chemotherapy pharmacy in western Kenya.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Walther Hall, 980 West Walnut Street, R3-C312E, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5188, USA. rstrothe@iupui.edu
authors.forename: R Matthew
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Strother
authors.forename: Kamakshi V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jakait
authors.forename: Naftali
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Busakhala
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schellhase
authors.forename: Sonak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pastakia
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krzyzanowska
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Loehrer
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents