I had the privilege of joining the recent virtual ISOPP Town Hall meeting and the experience was both enlightening and inspiring. Pharmacists from different parts of the world joined, and the environment was lively and cooperative. Attendees shared innovative ideas and explored avenues for advancing oncology pharmacy practice.
The meeting brought together different perspectives. Among the suggestions from the attendees during discussion were the need to address global disparities in the practice of oncology pharmacy. Others included creating a professional working group to provide consultation services in countries lacking basic oncology practices to forming teams dedicated to quality healthcare and patient safety.
The importance of education and professional development was also a recurring theme. Attendees emphasized the need for observership opportunities at well-established institutions. Scholarships for advanced studies in oncology pharmacy, and tools to assess and improve current services in low- and middle-income countries was also brought up. Real-life examples, like the Fulbright-supported training of oncology pharmacists in Nigeria, showcased the transformative power of collaboration and targeted support.
Another highlight was the discussion on the integration of technology. Attendees encourage ISOPP leadership to explore the potential of AI and Big Data in oncology pharmacy. This is suggested to enhance treatment decisions to supporting pharmacists’ roles in patient care. The leadership reaffirmed that technology should complement, not replace, the vital human element in healthcare.
The meeting also underscored ISOPP's role as a catalyst for global progress. Suggestions for partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and NGOs and leveraging ISOPP's resources, like the Standards for Safe Handling of Cytotoxics, illustrated the society's potential to drive meaningful change.
Overall, the Town Hall meeting affirmed the power of collective effort and shared vision. At the end of the meeting, I was excited about the future of ISOPP and oncology pharmacy practice.
Kofi Boamah Mensah
ISOPP Secretariat General Member
Click here to watch the full recording of the Town Hall (Log in as a member)