BASMA M. MAKLAD, ONCOLOGY CLINICAL PHARMACIST.
I was asked more than once why oncology field? Isn’t it a very depressing, disappointing and complicated field?
The truth is that it was my point of view for years especially when I had to see the ugly face of cancer with one of the dearest people to my heart. After his death I decided to understand every detail about cancer and how to face it. I took my decision to learn each and every detail.
I started with a specific diploma in oncology which made me understand the basics, then I went deeper by starting training in an oncology center to see what it looks like really on the ground. At the beginning it wasn’t easy dealing with oncology medications as they need specific precautions for handling. But what was harder is dealing with cancer patients especially hopeless cases.
I will not say that it was easy, but by helping patients I did find satisfaction and a motive to learn more.
A day in practice for an Oncology Pharmacist includes two main roles: Either working in IV admixture pharmacy or being part of daily medical rounds. I do both because I’m a senior clinical pharmacist so part of my job is to supervise both roles.
As an IV Clinical Pharmacist my job starts with revising patient’s file including all data like his medical history, previous chemotherapy protocols, recent chemotherapy protocol, lab tests and based on all that I decide whether to approve doses of chemotherapy or to adjust it. Then the second step starts by preparing the chemotherapy under certain aseptic techniques in a specific sterile pharmacy to ensure that the prepared chemotherapy reaches patients sterile and uncontaminated.
In the daily round my job is listening to both physicians and patients after reading the whole patient’s file to check if there’s a medication with no need, if there is any new symptom needs a medication to be added or if any dose needs to be adjusted depending on patient’s lab tests.
Oncology Clinical Pharmacist role is very important as we carry the medications burden from physicians’ shoulder by being part of the clinical decisions to guarantee that every patient receives his medication without any fault.
As I said before it is never an easy job to deal with cancer every day or to see the pain in my patient’s faces while they are receiving their chemotherapy protocols. But there is a bright side for sure as I can inspire hope and motivate them to stay stronger and to support them until they win their fight against this malignant disease.
I have learnt along my journey is that to be trust worthy I should never stop learning and continuous learning and passion are the keys for a successful Clinical Pharmacist.
It is a privilege to be an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist relieving cancer patients’ pain whenever I can.
VIVA LA PHARMACIE!
Woow. That was very insightful. Selfless and dedicated health professionals like you are what we need. Thank you for being there for the hopeless.