EXAMINING PRESCRIPTION CONFORMITY IN ONCOLOGY CARE: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS IN IVORY COAST

Abstract

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, claiming millions of lives annually, particularly in its advanced or metastatic stages. Organs frequently affected by this devastating disease include the breast, lungs, colorectal, and prostate, contributing significantly to the staggering mortality rates observed worldwide. While various treatment modalities such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies offer promise in managing cancer, their widespread accessibility remains hindered by prohibitive costs, particularly in resource-limited settings.  Prescription of anticancer drugs represents a critical aspect of cancer management, serving as the initial step in patient treatment. This medicolegal act demands strict adherence to guidelines encompassing readability, precision, and completeness. Compliance with prescription protocols is paramount for optimizing patient outcomes, given the narrow therapeutic margin and inherent toxicity associated with anticancer medications. Errors in prescription can swiftly lead to adverse events, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, increased utilization of pharmaceutical products, laboratory tests, or even necessitating surgical interventions.

This abstract underscores the multifaceted challenges associated with cancer treatment, emphasizing the pivotal role of prescription accuracy in mitigating adverse outcomes and optimizing patient care. By highlighting the critical importance of adherence to prescription guidelines, it underscores the need for healthcare professionals to prioritize precision and thoroughness in prescribing anticancer medications. Moreover, it underscores the imperative for policymakers and healthcare stakeholders to address the systemic barriers hindering access to essential cancer treatments, particularly in resource-limited contexts.