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Anticancer Agent Dose Rounding Cost Impact Assessed
J Oncol Pract; ePub 2018 Feb 5; Fahrenbruch, et al
The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) has released a position statement on dose rounding of biologic and cytotoxic anticancer agents in which they conclude that rounding reduces waste and health care costs. The statement notes that:
- Rounding of biologic and cytotoxic agents within 10% of the ordered dose is considered acceptable for routine care.
- Dose changes ≤10% are not expected to reduce safety or efficacy.
- 10% is rational in the context of standard dose adjustments for patient tolerance and tumor response (≥20%) and the influence of interpatient pharmacokinetic variability.
- HOPA supports the use of the same threshold for dose rounding of anticancer drugs as that used for palliative and curative therapy.
Citation:
Fahrenbruch R, Kintzel P, Bott A, Gilmore S, Markham R. Dose rounding of biologic and cytotoxic anticancer agents: A position statement of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association. [Published online ahead of print February 5 2018]. J Oncol Pract. doi:10.1200/JOP.2017.025411.