Volume 28 | No.3 | March 2026 | | |
From Netty Cracknell, ISOPP President
Dear
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In my final President’s newsletter message, I find myself reflecting on the past two years serving ISOPP and our incredible global community. It has been a genuine privilege to represent such a passionate, committed, and globally connected community of oncology pharmacy professionals.
During this time, we have seen remarkable growth across the Society. Our membership has expanded to over 5,000 members across more than 130 countries, reflecting both the strength of our profession and the increasing global reach of ISOPP. Together we have expanded educational initiatives, strengthened collaborations with international partners, and continued to advocate for the vital role oncology pharmacists play in improving cancer care worldwide.
One of my priorities has been ensuring that ISOPP remains inclusive, accessible, and truly global. Our members practise in very different healthcare systems and environments, but our shared commitment to patient care connects us all. By welcoming diverse perspectives and encouraging participation from colleagues in all regions and resource settings, we continue to strengthen ISOPP as a professional home for oncology pharmacy practitioners everywhere.
At the same time, we have been looking ahead, helping shape ISOPP’s long-term vision for the next decade. This vision focuses on strengthening global education, supporting research and standards, expanding partnerships, and cementing ISOPP’s role as the international organisation representing oncology pharmacy practice.
This month’s “Day in the Life” story from Abdelgader Abdelhamid in Benghazi is a perfect reminder of why our global community matters. His story about a young patient, Fatima, who drew the pharmacist who helped her through treatment, captures the heart of what oncology pharmacists do every day. Whether practising in large academic centres or hospitals facing resource challenges, the dedication, compassion, and determination to care for patients is something that unites us all.
Of course, this month also marks a significant milestone — 30 years of ISOPP. In just a few days we will come together for the ISOPP 2026 International Virtual Symposium, a truly global 24-hour programme showcasing research, innovation, and expertise from across our community. If you have not yet registered, there is still time, and I encourage you to join colleagues from around the world for what promises to be an inspiring and memorable event.
The AGM and Global Town Hall will also take place this month. This is an important opportunity to reflect on our progress, recognise award recipients, introduce the incoming Secretariat, and discuss the future direction of the Society together.
At the AGM, I will also hand over the presidency to Barry Goldspiel. Barry has been a longstanding and dedicated member of ISOPP, and indeed is a past president himself! I have every confidence that under his leadership the Society will continue to grow and thrive. I know he will do an excellent job guiding ISOPP into its next chapter.
As I prepare to move into the role of Past President, I do so with deep gratitude and pride. Serving ISOPP has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life. Together we have strengthened the Society, broadened our global reach, and built foundations that will support ISOPP for many years to come.
Stories like Fatima’s remind us that behind every guideline, research project, and collaboration is a patient whose life may be changed because of the work we do together.
Thank you for the trust you have placed in me during my time as President. It has been a privilege to serve this global community and I look forward to seeing you at our International symposium next week!
Warm wishes
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ISOPP International Symposium 2026
10 Days to Go
| | *The registration fee for the Symposium is $30 CAD, set in recognition of our organization’s anniversary and to keep participation affordable for all colleagues across the globe. If you are able to contribute more, we warmly welcome additional donations to help support the ongoing work of the society. If the fee presents a financial challenge, please reach out to president@isopp.org, and we will gladly work with you to ensure you can attend. | | |
We invite you to join us for the ISOPP Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Global Town Hall 2026, taking place virtually, on March 24th, from 05:00 to 06:00 PT. Click here to check the local time for your region.
During the AGM, ISOPP will provide an update on ISOPP's progress, share our future plans, present awards, and introduce the incoming Secretariat.
The Global Town Hall will offer an opportunity for members in the oncology pharmacy community to ask questions, discuss issues, share ideas, get updates and learn more about our Society’s initiatives. This is the opportunity for you to ask us any questions.
As an ISOPP member, we encourage you to:
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Submit any questions you would like to address during the AGM and Town Hall by using this link. You will also have the chance to ask questions live during both events.
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RSVP here to confirm your attendance. A Zoom link will be shared closer to the event date.
The key documents will be shared closer to the event and will be available in the “Society Documents” section under “My Dashboard” when logged in as a member.
Your participation is essential in helping us continue to advance global oncology pharmacy care.
Thank you for being an integral part of the ISOPP community.
Kind regards
| | New Members Meeting with ISOPP Management | | |
New to ISOPP? Welcome!
If you’ve recently joined ISOPP, this is a fantastic opportunity to get connected. Join us for an informal and engaging session where you’ll have the chance to meet the President and Past-President, ask your questions, and learn more about ISOPP and its mission.
Whether you’re curious about how to get involved or simply want to learn more, we’d love to see you there!
Save the Date – Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 05:00 PT
Click here for the local time of the meeting for you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10:00 PT
Click here for the local time of the meeting for you.
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Call for JOPP Reviewers and Featured JOPP Articles | |
If you are interested in serving as a reviewer for JOPP submissions, please send an email to Barry Goldspiel (joppeditor@isopp.org) with a short description of your reviewer experience and a copy of your curriculum vitae.
If you have published a paper in JOPP and would like that paper featured in the ISOPP Newsletter, please send the citation and a 1 to 3 sentence description of the importance of your paper to joppeditor@isopp.org.
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Barry Goldspiel
ISOPP President-Elect
Nominations Task Force Chair
president-elect@isopp.org
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A Day in the Life of a Paediatric Oncology Pharmacist in Benghazi, Libya
By Abdelgader Abdelhamid
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Some mornings stick with you. Like the day little Fatima came back after her induction treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She’s only 7, but she walked in holding her mom’s hand, then suddenly let go and ran straight to me with this crumpled drawing. It was me—big smile, holding what looked like a glowing bottle. “This is you,” she said quietly, “you make the bad stuff go away so I can play football again.” Her mom just stood there, eyes full, and said, “We were so scared… but you explained everything, step by step. You gave us hope when we had none.”. That’s why I keep going. I’m Abdelgader Abdelhamid, working in the Department of Oncology and Hematology at Pediatric Hospital Benghazi. I’ve got my Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, and right now I’m pushing hard to become a Libyan Board of Clinical Pharmacy (LBCP) certified specialist.
In our unit, we mostly see kids with blood cancers—leukemias, lymphomas—these are the big ones here in Libya for children. It’s rewarding, but honestly, it’s tough too. Supplies aren’t always steady, costs hit families hard, and sometimes we have to get really creative to keep treatments on track. My day usually kicks off around 8:00 am. I get in, sign the book, grab a quick coffee if I’m lucky, and check the list: who’s coming for chemo today, any new kids admitted overnight, follow ups, emergencies. I look at the latest labs—blood counts, kidneys, liver—to see if doses need tweaking or if someone needs extra supportive meds. A lot of mornings we do rounds together: me, the pediatric oncologists, hematologists, nurses, maybe a psychologist if things are really heavy. We talk through the tricky cases—high-risk leukemia, relapsed stuff—and make sure everyone’s on the same page. Around 9:00, I suit up: gown, double gloves, mask, hair cover—the full gear. Into the prep area to mix the chemo. Kids’ doses are tiny and exact; everything’s weight-based, and I double-check (triple-check, really) with whoever’s around. We use the biological safety cabinet or cleanroom, following all the rules to keep it sterile and safe. In Libya, some of the fancier drugs or even basics can be late arriving or too expensive because of imports and everything else going on. So I talk a lot with the doctors—maybe switch to what we have, or find a workaround through programs if possible. No kid misses a dose if we can help it.
The part I love most? Talking to the families. We have a little space for it. Kids are scared of needles, weird tastes, losing hair. Parents are terrified about infections or what’s next. I sit down, use simple words, sometimes draw pictures for the little ones: “This medicine fights the bad cells, but it might make you feel sick to your tummy—here’s what we do about that.” I tell them to keep hydrated, eat what they can, watch for fever. For families coming from far away or struggling with money, I try to help with tips on sticking to the plan and point them to any support we have. Seeing a scared mom relax a bit, or a kid say “Okay, I get it now,” makes the whole day worth it. Later in the day, I check stock: cytotoxics, anti-nausea meds, antibiotics, growth factors. Make sure hazardous waste is handled right. I write everything down carefully documentation is key. Sometimes I show students or new staff how to do safe mixing or watch for side effects. A few days I follow up on kids on oral meds at home or adjust things for common problems like fever and low counts. It’s not easy. You see kids fighting so hard—some win, some… we lose them. Shortages make you angry, delays hurt. But then you get those wins: a scan looks better, a family says thank you from the heart, or a little one like Fatima hands you a drawing. Those moments remind me this isn’t just work; it’s being there for them when they need it most. I usually head out around 4:00 pm, tired to my bones but feeling good inside. In Libya, pediatric oncology is still growing, and I’m proud to be part of it. Sharing this with ISOPP friends around the world means a lot—we all learn from each other. We have our struggles, but the love for these kids keeps us going, pushing for better every day. Thanks for letting me share a piece of what life looks like here in Benghazi.
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Thank you for reading this edition of the ISOPP Newsletter.
Kind Regards
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Busayo Abolarin
ISOPP Engagement and Communications Committee
Newsletter Editor
newsletter@isopp.org
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ISOPP's Society and Symposium Management Office
Sea to Sky, an MCI Company is ISOPP's Society and Symposium Management Office. We support ISOPP’s volunteer leadership (Secretariat, its Committees, Task Forces and Work Groups), its members and other stakeholders to help achieve ISOPP’s mission to advance oncology pharmacy care for patients around the world. If you have any questions about membership, services, Symposium or the Society, please contact the ISOPP Office directly as follows:
Email: membership@isopp.org
Direct: +1-604-984-6455
MCI Canada, 555 Burrard Street, 1st Floor
Vancouver, BC, Canada V7X 1M8
www.seatoskymeetings.com
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