The Role of Holistic Pharmacy in Cancer Patient Care

Holistic pharmacy, as part of integrative oncology, emphasizes the combined use of conventional pharmacotherapy and complementary approaches to optimize cancer care outcomes. Cancer patients often use herbal medicines, dietary supplements, and mind–body therapies alongside chemotherapy or targeted agents, which may create both synergistic benefits and clinically significant risks such as herb–drug interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the role of holistic pharmacists in improving safety, efficacy, and quality of life in cancer patients receiving integrative treatment. A mixed-methods design was employed, incorporating a cross-sectional survey of ۲۱۲ oncology patients at an NCI-designated cancer center and a retrospective review of ۱۵۸ pharmacist intervention reports from January ۲۰۲۲ to March ۲۰۲۴. Data analysis showed that ۶۳% of patients reported using at least one herbal or dietary supplement during cancer treatment, with ۱۸% having potential interactions identified by pharmacists (Yakubi et al., ۲۰۲۵). Pharmacist-led counseling led to discontinuation or modification of risky supplements in ۷۲% of cases, and patient satisfaction scores increased significantly (p<۰.۰۱) compared to baseline (Mao et al., ۲۰۲۳). Qualitative interviews indicated improved communication between pharmacists, oncologists, and patients, fostering better adherence to treatment plans and holistic symptom management. The findings underscore the importance of integrating holistic pharmacy services into cancer care teams to detect and manage herb–drug interactions, educate patients, and promote safe complementary medicine use. These results align with global trends toward patient-centered, multidisciplinary oncology care and highlight the need for training programs in integrative pharmacotherapy for oncology pharmacists.

Keywords:

holistic pharmacy , cancer care , integrative oncology , herbal–drug interactions , oncology pharmacist