• minus
  • plus
  • email
  • rss

COSA Clinical Professional Day Reports
2018  (pdf, 206kb) 
2014  (pdf, 34kb)
2013  (pdf, 54kb)
2012  (pdf, 54kb)
2010  (pdf, 27kb)

Like CPG on Facebook or Follow CPG on Twitter

COSA guidelines for the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of systemic cancer therapy 
These guidelines aim to prevent medication errors and patient harm by standardising the complex process of providing medications for the treatment of cancer.  They were fully revised by a multidisciplinary working group in 2016/17 and contain general information on the safe provision of cancer therapy, as well as specific sections on the role of the prescriber, pharmacist and nurse.

For other guidelines published by COSA please visit the Guidelines page under Publications

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists Standards of Practice for Cancer Pharmacy Services 
These standards describe activities consistent with good practice for the provision of pharmacy services to cancer patients and are available to COSA members.

The following websites are useful resources for pharmacists working in cancer services.
External organisations maintain these websites and COSA and the CPG cannot take responsibility for their content.

EviQ - Cancer Treatments Online (AUS)
Main reference source for chemotherapy protocols in Australia. Good for information on chemotherapy doses, administration information, supportive therapy, patient information sheets. The information is available free of charge, however users are required to register. 

Cancer Learning: Pharmacy Professional Development Pathway (AUS)
Education and professional development for health professionals working in cancer care.

Therapeutic Goods Administration (AUS)
Australian regulatory body for medicines and devices includes a list of orphan drugs and information on adverse drug reaction reporting.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (AUS)
Contains a listing of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government under the PBS (updated monthly).

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (AUS)
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) is a government agency that leads and coordinates national improvements in safety and quality in health care across Australia.

National Cancer Institute (USA)
Information on cancer types and treatment including management options, including a complementary medicines section. Information is available for both health professionals and consumers

British Columbia Cancer Agency (Canadian)
Information on protocols by disease state.

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 
International multidisciplinary organisation with useful supportive care guidelines.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (USA)
Guidelines for cancer treatment by site.

Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire Chemotherapy Handbook (UK)
Protocol summaries.

Cancer Improvement (UK)
Very useful tools for capacity planning and service delivery.

Clinical Oncology News (USA)
Produces useful review articles on oncology, haematology and supportive care. Registration required.

ArcMesa Educators (USA)
ArcMesa Educators is a full service content developer of continuing education programs for the professional medical community. Registration required.

Complementary medicine information

Practice standards

  • Standards of Practice for the Provision of Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Services 2002, J Pharm Pract Res 2002; 32 (2): 115-118. Update in progress
  • Standards of Practice for the Provision of Oral Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer May 2007, J Pharm Pract Res 2007; 37 (2): 149-52. Current
  • Standards of Practice for the Provision of Palliative Care Pharmacy Services November 2006, J Pharm Pract Res 2006; 36(4): 306-8. Current
  • Standards of Practice for the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs in Pharmacy Departments August 2004, J Pharm Pract Res 2005; 35(1): 44-52. Update in progress
  • Standards of Practice for the Transportation of Cytotoxic Drugs from Pharmacy Departments, J Pharm Pract Res 2007; 37(3): 234-5. Current
  • Standards of Practice for the Provision of Consumer Medicines Information by Pharmacists in Hospitals February 2007, J Pharm Pract Res 2007; 37 (1): 56-8. Current
  • Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy August 2004, J Pharm Pract Res 2005; 35 (2): 122-46. Update in progress