Volume 27 | No.8 | September 2025 | | |
From Netty Cracknell, ISOPP President
Dear
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The big news this month is that abstract submissions are now open for the 2026 ISOPP Virtual Symposium, taking place on March 20, 2026.
This will be ISOPP’s first-ever 24-hour online Symposium, connecting oncology pharmacists across every region of the world in real time.
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Planning is moving at full speed under the leadership of Brooke Bernhardt and the Symposium Scientific Planning Task Force, who are shaping a strong scientific program for our members. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the program! Don't forget to submit your abstract by October 31, 2025. The best abstracts will be showcased in oral plenaries, with awards including complimentary registration for ISOPP 2027, discounts on 2026 registration, and publication in a JOPP supplement.
Alongside Symposium preparations, ISOPP is excited to host a Virtual Welcome Meeting for new members on November 26, 2025, where you can meet me, ISOPP President, and our President Elect Barry Goldspiel, learn how to make the most of your membership, connect with colleagues worldwide and ask us questions about ISOPP.
This newsletter also introduces the brand-new ISOPP/JOPP Best Paper Awards, recognizing excellence in oncology pharmacy practice and research - read more below.
Don’t miss our latest “A Day in the Life” feature with Summyya Shakil, Senior Pharmacist–Pediatric Oncology at Indus Hospital & Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan, who shares how careful checks and safety interventions shape patient outcomes every day.
And finally Irene Weru, chair of the The Education Committee also brings exciting updates from this committee - read more below.
As you can see, it has been an incredibly busy two months for ISOPP, with more work going on behind the scenes in our commiteess and Task Forces. Next month will bring an update from the Research Committee.
I don't like leaving without something to work on so for this month - so try to do one small kind thing this month for a colleague. Share the pharmay love. #bekind
Warm regards,
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Netty Cracknell
ISOPP President 2024 - 2026
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We are delighted to announce that abstract submissions for the 2026 Virtual Symposium are now open!
If you are working on an innovative oncology pharmacy project, service evaluation, or research study, then ISOPP 2026 is your chance to share it with a global audience and contribute to the advancement of oncology pharmacy.
Here are 3 more great reasons to submit an abstract to ISOPP 2026:
- The best abstracts will receive a complimentary registration for the ISOPP 2027 Symposium
- The primary author of all accepted abstracts will be eligible for a 30% discount on registration for ISOPP 2026
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All accepted abstracts will be published (online only) in a supplement of the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice (JOPP) in April 2026
Submit your abstract(s) online by Friday, October 31, 2025.
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Abstract Awards
Top Abstract Presentations - The three-highest ranked abstracts from each region will be invited to present their research as oral plenaries at the ISOPP 2026 Symposium. Each recipient will receive a digital certificate.
Regional Top Abstract Award - The top abstract from each region will receive a complimentary registration for the ISOPP 2027 Symposium and a digital certificate. This award will be announced at the end of each regional plenary.
Poster Award - The top posters in each category, as voted by attendees (excluding oral plenary presentations), will receive a digital certificate. The highest-rated poster overall will receive a complimentary registration for the ISOPP 2027 Symposium and a digital certificate.
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We look forward to receiving your abstracts! | |
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Nick Duncan
Research Committee Chair
| | ISOPP & BOPA Joint Webinar: Sitting in the opposite chair, part of London Global Cancer Week - 2025 | |
The upcoming ISOPP & BOPA joint webinar, Sitting in the opposite chair, part of London Global Cancer Week - 2025, will take place on November 26, 2025 at 7:00 PST (to find your local time click here).
This session offers a unique perspective on cancer care through the eyes of a consultant cancer pharmacist, Emma Foreman, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. It explores how professional expertise can both help and complicate the patient journey, revealing the emotional, physical, and systemic challenges faced when sitting “on the other chair".
Emma Foreman previously chaired the ISOPP Biosimilar Task Force and is current chair of the ISOPP Standards Task Force.
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New Member Virtual Welcome Meeting
Hear how to connect with ISOPP and how you can help advance oncology pharmacy care
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Are you a new member of ISOPP in 2025, or a member who wants to know more about member benefits and opportunities? If so, join us in a 30-minute virtual gathering to meet ISOPP’s President and Past President and hear how you can make the most of your membership!
ISOPP is a growing organization and has a lot to offer new members. We would like to show you how to access all the benefits of membership and hear your thoughts on what you would like to get out of your ISOPP membership.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 05:30 PST - Click here for the local time of the meeting for you.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95546723945?pwd=Y2U8JIc37EeKOMOfLEadyqYF7GTpEE.1
Meeting ID: 955 4672 3945
Passcode: 207293
You will meet:
- Netty Cracknell, ISOPP President
- Barry Goldspiel, ISOPP President Elect
- New ISOPP members
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ISOPP/JOPP Best Paper Awards
ISOPP/JOPP Oncology Pharmacy Practice and Oncology Pharmacy Research Best Paper Awards
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The ISOPP Secretariat has approved two ISOPP/JOPP Best Paper Awards. These awards recognize articles published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice (JOPP) that describe an innovation in oncology pharmacy practice (Oncology Pharmacy Practice Best Paper Award) and scientific research (Oncology Pharmacy Research Best Paper Award).
- ISOPP/JOPP Oncology Pharmacy Practice Best Paper Award
- ISOPP/JOPP Oncology Pharmacy Research Best Paper Award
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Lisa Holle
ISOPP Award and Grant Task Force Chair
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Barry Goldspiel
Editor, JOPP
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Call for JOPP Reviewers
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.
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Featured JOPP Articles
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
Editor, JOPP
| | Summyya Shakil - Senior Pharmacist-Pediatric Oncology at Indus Hospital & Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan | | |
Working as an oncology pharmacist for 8 years has been a constant reminder that our decisions directly impact patients' lives. My typical day usually begins with reviewing chemotherapy orders—checking each regimen for accuracy, appropriateness of dosing, organ function adjustments, and potential interactions. Every detail matters because in oncology, there is little room for error.
One of the core responsibilities I hold is protocol validation and ensuring adherence to evidence-based treatment plans. I work closely with oncologists and nurses to clarify any discrepancies and contribute to treatment planning. Our pharmacy plays an integral role in the safe preparation and timely delivery of chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Beyond clinical checks, I have been actively involved in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives. In the past years, I’ve contributed to over 1,000 medication safety interventions, ranging from dose modifications in vulnerable populations to prevention of serious drug interactions. This work earned me the Patient Safety Champion Award, recognized by the Government of Sindh in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Education has been another essential aspect of my role. I regularly train pharmacy staff and other healthcare staff on updates in cancer therapeutics, hazardous drug handling, and best practices for medication safety. What makes this work truly meaningful is knowing that every intervention contributes to a safer and more effective cancer care. Whether it's preventing a near-miss, implementing a new safety measure, or simply improving workflow, each action brings us one step closer to better outcomes. Behind every prescription, every protocol check, and every moment of clinical decision-making, there is a life being touched.
Being part of the oncology pharmacy workforce means being an advocate for both patients and the healthcare team. It’s a role that demands precision, dedication, and compassion—and I’m proud to contribute to the fight against cancer every single day.
| | Education Committee September Updates | | |
The ISOPP Education Committee has been busy over the last few weeks. We are excited to share some highlights of what members can look out for in the coming weeks.
NEW Cancer Pharmacy Course
The Committee is collaborating with Clinical Oncology Society of Australia – Cancer Pharmacists Group (COSA CPG), British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA), Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO) to develop an 'ISOPP Foundation/Introduction in Cancer Pharmacy' Course (title is still being determined!). ISOPP members from around the world are contributing to this process. When complete, this will be a useful resource for early career oncology pharmacists targeted for LMIC (Low and middle income counteries).
Safe Handling Task Force
Additionally, a new Task force, Safe Handling Task Force has been formed. This Task Force will develop a Safe Handling toolkit and core educational resources for the toolkit for LMICs. Look out for updates from Task Force chair Harbans Dhillon in the coming weeks.
Webinar
On October 9, 2025 ISOPP will have a joint webinar with FIP on Empowering pharmacists in palliative care: The role of pharmacists in the care of older persons. ISOPP member Darren Walsh will present on Pharmacist interventions in cancer-related palliative care as one of the speakers.
This will be followed by a joint webinar with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) scheduled for end of October as part of breast cancer awareness month. This webinar will showcase the role of the pharmacists segmented by patient journey stage as well as have country specific case studies.
And finally, work is underway organising the COSA_BOPA_CAPHO_ISOPP pharmacogenomics debate with ISOPP members contributing to the discussion. Due later this year.
FIP/ISOPP CPD Bites
Finally, ISOPP is collaborating with FIP to develop a series of short, practice-oriented videos designed to provide pharmacists with simple, up-to-date information that will empower them with the knowledge and confidence to support the treatment optimisation for people living with cancer. The project will cover two video series with three topics covered per series. Thanks to our members, the scripts for the first video series are ready and are scheduled for release in November.
We acknowledge ISOPP Education Committee Members for their commitment.
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Irene Weru
Education Committee Chair
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Symposium Planning
Save the date - March 20, 2026
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On behalf of the ISOPP Symposium Scientific Planning Committee, I am delighted to share that ISOPP is preparing to host the 2026 Virtual Symposium, an event that will unite oncology pharmacy professionals from across the globe in a truly engaging program of knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.
Our team is carefully shaping an agenda that addresses the most pressing issues facing our profession — from the latest clinical advances to practice innovations that are transforming patient care. The program is designed to inspire, inform, and empower every participant, no matter where in the world they practice.
We are honored to welcome world-renowned experts, thought leaders, and frontline practitioners who are at the forefront of oncology pharmacy. You can look forward to hearing from inspiring keynote speakers, innovators in practice and research, and colleagues offering diverse global perspectives.
Through these sessions — enhanced by interactive Q&A and opportunities for dialogue — we aim to ensure that you leave the Symposium with not only new knowledge, but also strategies and connections that will enrich your professional practice.
I encourage you to stay tuned for the announcement of the full program and speaker lineup. I can promise you this: it will be an event you will not want to miss.
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Brooke Bernhardt
Chair, Symposium Scientific Planning Task Force
| | CAPhO Oncology Fundamentals Day (OFD) 2025: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:00 – 19:00 EDT | | |
Are you a pharmacist or technician new to oncology practice? Are you a pharmacy student or resident with an interest in oncology? Are you interested in foundational oncology education?
If you answered yes to any of these questions…
Plan to attend the CAPhO Oncology Fundamentals Day, taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 10:00 – 19:00 EDT as a one-day online learning event.
OFD 2025 will feature CCCEP-accredited sessions, streamed online so you can attend the event live from wherever you are. The program features the following topics:
- Myeloma 101 - The Basics
- Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Practical Implementation of the Current Guidelines in Oncology Practice
- Evolving Standards for Compounding and Safe Drug Handling: Compliance and Culture
- Telehealth in Oncology Pharmacy Practice
- Interpreting Oncology Clinical Trials 101
- Colorectal (Bilingual)
- Transgender Cancer Care: Where Oncology Meets Gender-Affirming Medicine
Not a member of CAPhO? You are welcome to attend this professional development opportunity at the non-member rate. Alternatively, join CAPhO now to register at a lower cost, stay informed, and access additional educational resources to advance your oncology competence.
Encourage your colleagues and staff to take advantage of this great learning opportunity and take a moment to print copies of the promotional poster and post them within your pharmacy department or clinic offices. Also, feel free to circulate any email announcements and social media posts to your professional network via email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky.
For more information about #OFD2025 and to register visit https://www.capho.org/education/oncology-fundamentals-day/ofd-2025 or contact info@capho.org.
| World Pharmacists Day 2025 | |
On World Pharmacists Day - September 25, 2025, the theme is "Think Health, Think Pharmacist".
ISOPP is proud to support the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) campaign to raise awareness for World Pharmacists Day.
Aligned with the FIP’s global theme—“Think Health, Think Pharmacist”—ISOPP champions the vital role of pharmacists in improving patient outcomes, supporting multidisciplinary teams, and shaping the future of healthcare through digital transformation. We are dedicated to fostering excellence, collaboration, and leadership in oncology pharmacy, and to supporting our members as they make a difference in their communities every day.
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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
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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
MCI Canada, 555 Burrard Street, 1st Floor
Vancouver, BC, Canada V7X 1M8
www.seatoskymeetings.com
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