Cancer Pharmacists Group

• Category eNews
• DATE 22 Feb 2023

Cancer Pharmacists Group

Continuing Educational Events in 2023
CPG finished the second half of 2022 with the return of the Advanced Course for Cancer Pharmacists (3-4 September, Melbourne) and pre-COSA ASM CPG Clinical Development Workshop (29 November 2022, Brisbane). Both events were well attended and received excellent feedback from attendees.
In line with CPG’s commitment to promoting and developing cancer pharmacy, in 2023, we are excited to announce our Education Program featuring our Foundation Clinical Practice Course, an Advanced Seminar, and webinar lectures on cancer therapeutics.
Foundation Clinical Practice Course for Cancer Pharmacists: 24_25 June 2023
Following the success of last years’, the 2023 Foundation Clinical Practice Course will again be held at the PARKROYAL, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The course attracts clinical pharmacists wanting to specialise in cancer pharmacy from across Australia and New Zealand/Pacific. The course delivers a mix of pre-recorded video lectures for delegates to view prior to attending the two days of face-to-face interactive workshops and expert panel discussions. Workshops will enable collaboration between delegates and network. The ever-popular panel discussions provide an opportunity for delegates to ask those burning cancer pharmacy questions to our esteemed panel of expert cancer pharmacists There will also be an opportunity to relax, network and have fun with fellow delegates and the speakers at the cocktail reception held on the Saturday evening. Another sell-out is expected this year, so spread the word about this fantastic, practical course. Early bird registration will open 5 May!

Advanced Practice Weekend Seminar: second half of 2023
We realise the importance of meeting the educational needs of more experienced cancer pharmacists, too. This year, an Advanced Practice Weekend Seminar is proposed to occur the weekend following the COSA ASM 2023. Exact details will be released closer to the time but will feature a masterclass and specific cancer pharmacy professional talks.

Webinars 2023
CPG will host several themed cancer therapeutic webinars to facilitate greater accessibility to high-level cancer pharmacist education no matter where in Australia you live. This is part of our commitment to ensuring cancer pharmacists living and working in rural or regional areas have access to live educational opportunities.

Safe Handling of Monoclonal Antibodies in Healthcare Settings: Update
The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Position Statement: 2022 update to the safe handling of monoclonal antibodies in healthcare settings was endorsed by the CPG and COSA Council late last year and has been accepted for publication by Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. There are now 14 recommendations- please look out for this informative resource expected to be published in the coming months.

Collaborating with other groups
COSA hosted British Oncology Pharmacist Association cancer pharmacist Marwa Mahamuud at COSA ASM 2022 in Brisbane as part of efforts to strengthen ties between CPG and BOPA. It was a wonderful opportunity not just for Marwa who took learnings from the ASM back to the UK, but also for CPG members to talk to Marwa about everything clinical cancer pharmacy in the UK, and more. CPG and BOPA intend to continue collaborating with training and educational opportunities in 2023.

Another priority for CPG, is involvement with other COSA groups, e.g., Kimberley-Ann Kerr participated in a panel discussion hosted by the COSA Geriatric Oncology Group at the COSA ASM last year. This ensures that the important perspectives of cancer pharmacists are considered, in order to provide multi-disciplinary cancer care. In addition, several of our CPG members will continue mentoring pharmacists in Fiji and Papua New Guinea as part of work being done with COSA’S Global Oncology Group, to improve the healthcare worker capability in low- and middle-income countries.

Advocacy, Consultation, Review
This year, the CPG Committee will continue to offer feedback and review on government and other professional documents as we have in the past, e.g., TGA’s Repurposing of Medicines (in the context of those used in oncology and haematology), and will also continue to consider requests by CPG members for letters of support for research grant applications.

Have a fantastic year- we look forward to talking to you at one or more of the educational events!

Marissa Ryan and Geeta Sandhu
Co-chairs, Cancer Pharmacists Group