The pharmacist's role in mitigating medication errors in oncology: an integrative literature review

Abstract

This article emphasizes the critical importance of pharmacists in preventing medication errors in oncology, highlighting their pivotal role in ensuring patient safety. Oncology is a field characterized by the high complexity of treatments and the significant risk of adverse events associated with the use of chemotherapeutic agents, making the pharmacist's involvement essential to safeguard patients and optimize treatment outcomes. Their presence is indispensable in oncology care. The article further explores the pharmacist’s vital contributions to reducing medication errors in the oncology setting, analyzing how their interventions enhance patient safety and improve treatment quality. This integrative literature review draws on studies selected from virtual databases, focusing on research published in the past five years in Portuguese. The findings reveal that pharmacists play a key role within the multidisciplinary oncology team, actively promoting patient safety and preventing medication errors, which can have severe consequences in such a vulnerable context. Their expertise is essential for identifying inconsistencies, encouraging the rational use of medications, and ensuring adherence to treatment protocols.