How has the role of the oncology pharmacist changed over the past few decades?

Cancer care is rapidly evolving, and as the needs of the patient and health care team change, so does the role of the oncology pharmacist. I have seen the role of the oncology pharmacist expand from the more traditional operational role of preparing chemotherapy into being integrated into the medical team within hospitals and involved in the care of patients in the clinic, in addition to leading the business side of oncology as administrators. With medications having such a central role in the treatment of cancer, the role of the oncology pharmacist continues to expand as the in-depth pharmaceutical knowledge that pharmacists have is sought after by all members of the medical team, as well as our patients.
Since I began practicing in 1998, the role of the oncology pharmacist has changed dramatically. Conventional tasks of chemotherapy mixing and dispensing are still vital to safe patient care, but emerging roles have developed that place pharmacists more in front of patients. For example, we go on rounds with medical teams in hospitals, run clinics, and participate in specialty practices, which all have increased our profession’s role and visibility. We are now actively sought after members of the cancer community for issues of drug policy, access to medications, and ensuring safe, effective treatments are in use and in development.