Professional diploma in clinical pharmacy- oncology specialty

11 August 2026

10 August 2028

Diploma

The general organization for teaching hospitals and institutes GOTHI Cairo

80 CPD (40 CPD/ year)

pharmacists

1. Graduate Attributes: A graduate of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy, critical care specialty, must be able to:

1.1 Apply the specialized knowledge he/she has acquired in general pharmacotherapy.

1.2 Identify patients' needs, specify therapy goals and design an optimal individualized plan and a monitoring strategy.

1.3 Detect, prevent and resolve drug-therapy problems encountered in a hospital setting, using the analytical approach.

1.4 Provide drug information and education at the patient and health professional's levels.

1.5 Master professional skills and use appropriate technological means in his/ her clinical practice.

1.6 Communicate and lead work teams through collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including physician, clinical pharmacy, nurses, and other members of healthcare team.

1.7 Make a decision in light of the available information through intervention.

1.8 Efficiently use the available resources in hospital to maximize benefits.

1.9 Be aware of his/ her role in community development and environmental protection.

1.10 Demonstrate responsibility to patients, give priority to patient care activities, plan prospectively & complete all steps of the medication management process.

1.11 Appreciate self-development & show continuous learning including short courses and special programs.

2. General Standards:

2.1 Knowledge & Understanding: By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy, critical care specialty, students should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and clear understanding of the following:

A1. Theories, principles of pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics in different diseases.

A2. Recent guidelines therapy modalities to achieve better efficacy and safety.

A3. Steps of evidence based medicine in clinical practice for improving patient quality of care.

A4. Ethical and legal principles for patient care; Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence & justice.

A5. Ethical and legal principles with healthcare team.

A6. Basics and principles of quality in clinical pharmacy practice.

A7. Basics and principles of patient safety; medication reconciliation, medication error and adverse drug event.

A8. The impact of professional practice on the environment and work to protect the environment from any hazardous material.

A9. The impact of professional practice on the environment and work to protect patients, and other workers.

2.2 Intellectual (thinking) skills: By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy, critical care specialty, students should be able to:

B1. Interpret the patient's health related problems.

B2. Identify the drug therapy problems.

B3. Integrate information from different disciplines to solve patient drug related problem.

B4. Evaluate clinical trials as basis for evidence based medicine.

B5. Efficiently use the drug information resources.

B6. Evaluate risk benefit ratio in a therapy plan for a particular patient.

B7. Choose the most appropriate drug for a particular patient regarding efficacy, safety & cost.

B8. Make professional decisions regarding medication management in light of available information.

 2.3 Professional skills: By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy, critical care specialty, students should be able to:

C1. Design a drug therapy plan based on patient specific data.

C2. Analyze the patient's signs & symptoms as they relate to drug therapy.

C3. Assess drug efficacy and safety through evaluation of appropriate physical & laboratory parameters.

C4. Identify, prevent and solve drug-related problems

C5. Efficiently write patient follow up to document all patient data including; investigation, diagnosis, lab results, medications

C6. Write effective reports of drug therapy problems (DTP).

2.4 General & transferable skills: By successful completion of Professional diploma in clinical pharmacy, critical care specialty, students should be able to:

D1. Communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare practitioners.

D2. Use information technology in retrieving updated drug information from different sources.

D3. Self-evaluate and identify his/ her personal learning needs.

D4. Use different sources to obtain information and knowledge including recent guidelines, text books and drug information applications.

D5. Demonstrate effective time management, manage conflict effectively & demonstrate effective negotiation skills.

D6. Demonstrate ability to lead a team.

D7. Learn independently and continuously/ Practice self and continuous learning

Second year

1. Graduate Attributes A graduate of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy oncology specialty must be able to:

1.1 Apply advanced clinical knowledge of pharmacotherapy and oncology in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

1.2 Identify individualized treatment plans for oncology patients based on disease state, stage, comorbidities, and patient-specific factors.

1.3 Interpret laboratory data and diagnostic tests to optimize chemotherapy and supportive care regimens.

1.4 Ensure safe handling, preparation, and administration of cytotoxic and hazardous drugs in accordance with safety standards.

1.5 Provide evidence-based recommendations to physicians and the healthcare team for selecting, dosing, and adjusting anticancer agents.

1.6 Identify and manage chemotherapy-related toxicities and adverse drug events effectively.

1.7 Provide patient counseling and education about cancer therapies, side effects, and adherence to treatment.

1.8 Conduct and interpret clinical research in oncology pharmacy practice.

2. General Standards

2.1 Knowledge & Understanding By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy oncology specialty, students should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and clear understanding of the following:

A1. Advanced pathophysiology and epidemiology of various types of tumors, staging, metastasis and common genetic mutations.

A2. Principles and application of evidence-based medicine and clinical trial interpretation in Oncology.

A3. Principles of pharmacology of antineoplastic agents; Detailed knowledge of all major drug classes used to treat cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy) including mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

A4. Pharmaceutical Calculations and Compounding: Safe and precise preparation and dispensing of hazardous (chemotherapeutic) medications.

A5. Interpretation of national and international guidelines (e.g., NCCN, ASCO) and their application in developing evidence-based protocols for treating various malignancies.

A6.Prevention and management of chemotherapy induced toxicity (e.g., nausea/vomiting, myelosuppression, mucositis, cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity).

 A7. Advanced concepts in medication safety; medication reconciliation, error prevention, and management of adverse drug events.

2.2 Intellectual (Thinking) Skills By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy oncology specialty, students should be able to:

B1. Critically appraise medical literature, clinical trial data, and evidence-based guidelines to determine the validity and applicability to patient care.

B2. Interpret complex clinical laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, and molecular profiling results relevant to cancer treatment.

B3. Implement individualized evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic plans for oncology patients, considering comorbidities, organ function, and potential drugdrug/drug-food interactions.

B4. Identify drug-related problems (DRPs) in oncology settings (e.g., inappropriate dosing, untreated indications, and adverse drug reactions).

B5. Integrate knowledge of cancer biology, pharmacology, and patient-specific factors to select the most appropriate anti-cancer regimen.

B6. Appraise the clinical response and safety profile of oncology treatments over time and adjust therapy as needed (e.g., dose modification, switching agents).

B7. Assess treatment outcomes, toxicities, and complications of cancer therapies.

2.3 Professional Skills

By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy oncology specialty, students should be able to:

C1. Apply evidence-based clinical judgment in assessing oncology patients and optimizing pharmacotherapy.

C2. Design, implement, and monitor individualized chemotherapy and supportive care plans according to current clinical guidelines.

C3. Demonstrate competence in the production, management, and secure delivery of cytotoxic and biological agents.

C4. Interpret laboratory results and clinical data to guide therapeutic decisions and dose adjustments.

C5. Provide patient counseling and education regarding chemotherapy regimens, side effect management, and adherence strategies.

C6. Utilize pharmacoeconomic and pharmacovigilance principles in cancer therapy management.

C7. Apply clinical research and oncology guidelines (e.g., NCCN, ESMO, ASCO) in clinical practice.

2.4 General & Transferable Skills By successful completion of the professional diploma in clinical pharmacy oncology specialty, students should be able to:

D1. Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers in oncology units.

D2. Apply advanced information technology and decision-support tools to rapidly access evidence and guidelines under emergent conditions.

D3. Conduct regular self-assessment and identify learning needs in advanced clinical competencies.

D4. Utilize and appraise critically the latest Oncology guidelines, textbooks, research publications, and digital drug resources.

D5. Apply research methodology, data interpretation, and evidence-based practice in oncology pharmacy.

D6. Exhibit effective time management, handles conflict, and negotiates within high-pressure interdisciplinary teams.

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