Revitalizing oncology medications access in Saudi Arabia: Current challenges and recommendations by the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly.

Background: Cancer care is posing immense challenges to healthcare systems globally. Advances in screening, monitoring, and treating cancer improved patient outcomes and survival rates yet amplified the disease burden. Multiple barriers might impede early access to innovative therapies.

Cancer Management in Saudi Arabia: Recommendations by the Saudi Oncology HeAlth Economics ExpeRt GrouP (SHARP).

Cancer is widely recognized as a major global health problem and is estimated to rank as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Saudi Arabia has undergone remarkable socioeconomic development in the past 40 years which has contributed to the increase in cancer incidence. The high costs of new oncology medications in combination with uncertainty of long-term effectiveness and safety outcomes highlight the importance of considering value, in terms of clinical outcomes, relative to cost.

Practical strategies to manage cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly Experts recommendations.

Purpose: During COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients are considered one of the most vulnerable to infection since they tend to have advanced age, multiple comorbidities, and are often immunosuppressed by their cancer or therapy. Hence, the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly has issued recommendations to reduce the frequency of cancer patients' visits to oncology centers during the pandemic while maintaining the access to cancer therapy and minimize the risk of exposure to coronavirus disease.

Materials And Methods: A qualitative methodological approach was conducted in April 2020 using a virtual panel discussion for collection of recommendations.