Volume 27 | No.5 | May 2025 | | |
From Netty Cracknell, ISOPP President
Dear ISOPP Members,
As we approach the midpoint of the year, I find myself reflecting on the immense passion, compassion, and resilience that defines our global oncology pharmacy community. From quiet moments at the compounding bench to international collaboration and groundbreaking innovation, the work we do matters—deeply.
In this newsletter, I read a powerful story from one of our colleagues in Nigeria, Clara Adesola. She recounted how a single patient, Ms. A.B.—a schoolteacher and mother battling breast cancer—offered her a heartfelt embrace and said, “You didn’t just give me medicine, you gave me hope.” That story, like so many I’ve heard from across our membership, reminded me of the true impact we make: we are not only pharmacists—we are advocates, educators, mentors, and lifelines.
In the midst of this dedication, it’s essential to acknowledge the emotional toll our profession can carry, as referred to by Clara Adesola. This June, we are hosting a special webinar series focused on compassion fatigue in oncology pharmacy—an opportunity to Recognise the Impact Of Compassion Fatigue, have Practical Strategies to Combat the Impact and Psychological Strategies to Reduce the Effects. I invite you all to join this series.
As we look ahead, 2026 will be a landmark year for ISOPP. We're not just marking a milestone — we're making history. Our 30th Anniversary Virtual Global Symposium will bring together oncology pharmacy professionals from every corner of the world in a 24-hour continuous event. Four regional hosts—Brisbane, Nairobi, Dublin, and Vancouver—will guide the conversation, ensuring inclusive, around-the-clock participation.
You’ll hear more soon, but I encourage you now to save the date: March 20, 2026. Whether you’re waking up in Tokyo, closing shop in São Paulo, or finishing your workday in Dublin, you’ll be able to tune in, connect, and contribute.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering with ISOPP, now is the perfect time to register your interest before May 31st. Volunteers are at the heart of our mission, and we are eager to welcome new voices into this meaningful work. Whether you have a few hours to give or a deep passion to share, your contribution will be valued.
Our Research Mentorship Program continues to grow, offering oncology pharmacists the chance to explore, expand, and excel in research—with the guidance of experienced mentors from around the world. Whether you're just beginning or advancing a complex project, this program is designed to support your goals. I encourage every member to visit our website and explore how you can join, learn, or even mentor others.
If you're not yet signed up for email alerts from the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice (JOPP), it’s a simple way to stay informed of new research and emerging practices. Read below to follow the quick steps to subscribe. It’s one more way to stay connected, informed, and inspired.
Every story, every study, and every volunteer adds to the rich fabric of ISOPP. The impact we make is not only clinical—it’s profoundly human. Thank you for all that you do, and for the privilege of serving as your President.
King regards
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Netty Cracknell
ISOPP President 2024 - 2026
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🎉 Celebrating 30 Years of Global Impact
In 2026, we're not just marking a milestone — we're making history. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of our international oncology pharmacy community, we're thrilled to announce the 2026 Virtual Global Symposium, a groundbreaking 24-hour live event bringing together professionals from every corner of the world.
🗓 Save the Date:
March 20, 2026
📍 Location: Online – Everywhere
🕓 Duration: 24 hours continuous
🎟 Registration: Opens soon
🌍 A Borderless Celebration of Knowledge
This year’s event is more than just a symposium — it’s a nonstop, worldwide conversation. Live sessions, keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking will rotate across four regional hosts — Brisbane, Nairobi, Dublin, and Vancouver — ensuring that no matter your time zone, you can engage during your local daytime hours.
With 30 sessions, each 30 minutes long, the schedule is crafted for meaningful, concise, and dynamic dialogue. Whether you're joining during your lunch break or staying up late for an international session, the choice is yours.
🕘 How It Works: Around-the-Clock Access
Each host region will lead a 6-hour programming block on 20th March:
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AU Brisbane (AEST): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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KE Nairobi (EAT): 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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IE Dublin (GMT): 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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CA Vancouver (PDT): 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
No matter where you are, you’ll find a time to join live, and on-demand access ensures you won’t miss a thing.
See our website page for more information: https://www.isopp.org/isopp-international-symposium-2026
| | Pharm. Clara Adesola FPCPharm (National Hospital Abuja) | | |
It was a Thursday afternoon -our busiest day of the week- when Ms. A.B., a woman in her late 40s, walked into the pharmacy for a follow-up visit. She wore a brightly colored dress, beamed with a wide smile, and clutched a thank-you card. We had barely exchanged pleasantries when she embraced me tightly and said, “You didn’t just give me medicine, you gave me hope. You helped me fight a good fight and run the race to the finish.” as an oncology pharmacist in a Nigerian hospital.
Each morning, I wake up with a blend of determination and humility, fully aware of the critical role I play in the lives of patients battling cancer. This profession is more than a job—it’s a calling that demands patience, resilience, empathy, and unwavering compassion. My day begins at 8:30 am. After signing in, I head straight to the oncology pharmacy unit. I start by reviewing the day’s chemotherapy schedule—identifying the patients due for treatment, their diagnoses, and any recent lab results. I also participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings with oncologists, pathologists, laboratory scientists, nurses, and social health workers to discuss complex cases.
By 9:30 am, I’m fully suited in personal protective equipment (PPE), working in the cleanroom or designated compounding area. Preparing chemotherapy agents is a meticulous process involving multiple checks and strict documentation. In a resource-constrained setting like Nigeria, we often have to be innovative and extremely vigilant. Some medications are expensive and not always readily available, so I collaborate with physicians to suggest affordable or accessible alternatives without compromising therapeutic outcomes.
Thankfully, initiatives like the Nigeria Cancer Access Partnership (NCAP) and the Cancer Health Fund (CHF), supported by the Federal Ministry of Health, have significantly improved access to essential medicines, particularly for low-income patients. These programs, alongside contributions from health insurance schemes, are helping to bridge the gap in cancer care.
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One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is patient counseling. I speak with patients and caregivers, explaining their medications, how to manage side effects like nausea or fatigue, and emphasizing the importance of adherence to therapy. My role goes beyond dispensing medication; I provide reassurance, education, and support.
It was during one of these counseling sessions that I met Ms. A.B., the woman I mentioned earlier. She had been diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. A schoolteacher and single mother of three, she was visibly anxious about chemotherapy and deeply troubled by the cost of treatment. I took time to walk her through her treatment plan, how to access the Cancer Health Fund, what side effects to expect, and how we would manage them together. She broke down in tears—not just from fear, but from the relief of being heard and understood. From that moment on, I followed her journey closely. She would stop by my office during each visit, sometimes just to chat or ask a few questions. Over time, she grew more confident, and even began encouraging other patients in the waiting area.
By afternoon, my focus shifts to documentation and inventory control. I verify stock levels, track the use and safe disposal of cytotoxic agents, and occasionally follow up with suppliers regarding delayed or unavailable medicines. I also supervise and mentor interns or junior pharmacists, ensuring they learn safe handling and compounding techniques under aseptic conditions.
The emotional weight of this work is very real. Some days we lose patients we've grown close to. Other times, we battle drug shortages or financial barriers that threaten to derail a patient’s treatment. But there are also moments of triumph—when a patient reports improvement, completes a treatment cycle, or simply stops by to say thank you. It was on one of these brighter days that Ms. A.B. returned, full of joy and gratitude, to share the news of her complete remission. Her words and warm embrace reminded me why we do what we do.
Amidst all the clinical responsibilities, we must also safeguard ourselves and others from prolonged exposure to hazardous drugs. While patients receive these agents over a defined treatment period, healthcare workers may be exposed—albeit in small doses—daily, over many years. This necessitates strict adherence to safety protocols to protect ourselves, our colleagues, and the community.
I usually wrap up my workday around 3:30 or 4:00 pm—physically drained but mentally fulfilled. Working as an oncology pharmacist in Nigeria is undoubtedly challenging, but it is deeply rewarding. Each day I walk into the pharmacy, I’m reminded that behind every prescription is a human life—and it’s my privilege to contribute to their management.
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👐 Call for Volunteers: Register Your Interest by 31st May
Are you passionate about making a difference, building global connections, and supporting the oncology pharmacy community? We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our volunteer team — and we’d love to hear from you!
Whether you have experience or are just getting started, volunteering offers a rewarding way to contribute to meaningful projects, develop new skills, and collaborate with colleagues from around the world.
🕓 Registrations of interest are open now — but only until 31st May!
After this date, we’ll be closing expressions of interest to begin planning and onboarding for the next volunteer cycle. For more information click here https://www.isopp.org/about-isopp/volunteer-support-isopp
| | IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have accessed this Webinar registration site before, please ensure to click "Edit" next to "ISOPP Webinar" in Summary page, and check the webinar(s) you would like to register for. If you have already registered for webinar(s) and wish to register for new webinar(s), please make sure to keep the old registered webinar(s) checked in addition to the new webinar(s). Unchecking webinar(s) will cancel your previous registration | | Signing up for JOPP Email Alerts | | |
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The ISOPP Research Mentorship Programme has been running for several months, and we continue to welcome member participation. Whether you're new to research or looking to strengthen your skills, we encourage all oncology pharmacists with an interest in research to explore the programme.
Visit the new ISOPP website to learn more about how the programme works and how you can connect with one of our experienced research mentors.
We’re proud to have a growing group of dedicated ISOPP members who have volunteered to serve as research mentors. We understand that starting a project can feel overwhelming, but having a mentor—or simply a supportive “research buddy”—can make a significant difference in turning ideas into impactful projects.
For a deeper look into what the programme can offer, watch our Research Mentorship webinar featuring Anita Mucua (Kenya), Jackson Truong (Australia), and Adrian De Boer (Canada), as they share their personal research journeys and experiences with mentorship in Research Mentorship Program.
We also welcome your feedback. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the programme, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the ISOPP Research Committee at research@isopp.org.
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ISOPP's Society and Symposium Management Office
Sea to Sky Meeting and Association Management 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
Suite 206, 201 Bewicke Avenue
North Vancouver, BC Canada V7M 3M7
www.seatoskymeetings.com
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