Systematic review of pharmacist-led interventions in hematological malignancies

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 24, 2026 Medically reviewed April 24, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Consider pharmacist-led interventions may improve medication processes in hematological malignancies, but clinical outcomes are heterogeneous.

This is a systematic review of 33 studies on pharmacist-led interventions for patients with hematological malignancies in inpatient and outpatient settings. The authors synthesized evidence on medication management processes, adherence, toxicity management, patient-reported outcomes, disease response, survival, hospitalization, and economic outcomes.

The review found that medication management processes were most consistently improved. Identification and resolution of drug-related problems, drug interaction management, care coordination, and acceptance of pharmacist recommendations were also improved. Improvements in medication adherence and toxicity management were reported in several studies, and selected improvements in patient-reported outcomes were noted.

However, findings for disease response, survival, and hospitalization were heterogeneous and not consistently statistically significant. Economic evaluations were limited, though they suggested potential cost savings and favorable returns on investment.

The authors acknowledged substantial heterogeneity in study design, interventions, and outcome definitions, and noted that evidence for effects on clinical and economic outcomes remains limited and heterogeneous. Practice relevance is restrained to improvements in medication management processes and potential contributions to adherence and safety.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundPharmacist-led interventions are increasingly integrated into hematology-oncology care to address complex pharmacotherapy and medication safety challenges. However, their impact within hematological malignancies has not been comprehensively synthesized across clinical, process-related, and economic domains.MethodsA systematic review was conducted to evaluate pharmacist-led interventions in patients with hematological malignancies across inpatient and outpatient settings. Thirty-three studies were included. Owing to substantial heterogeneity in study design, interventions, and outcome definitions, a structured qualitative synthesis was performed, with findings grouped by clinical, process-related, and economic outcomes.ResultsThirty-three studies were included, reporting clinical (n = 24), process-related (n = 23), and economic outcomes (n = 8). Pharmacist-led interventions most consistently improved medication management processes, including identification and resolution of drug-related problems, drug interaction management, and care coordination, with high acceptance rates of pharmacist recommendations. Several studies also reported improvements in medication adherence, toxicity management, and selected patient-reported outcomes; however, findings for disease response, survival, and hospitalization were heterogeneous and not consistently statistically significant. Economic evaluations were limited but suggested potential cost savings and favorable returns on investment associated with pharmacist involvement.ConclusionPharmacist-led interventions in hematology-oncology care improve medication management processes and may contribute to better adherence and medication safety. However, evidence for effects on clinical and economic outcomes remains limited and heterogeneous, highlighting the need for well-designed prospective studies using standardized outcome measures.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251147239, identifier CRD420251147239.