Pharmaceutical Assistance to Oncological Patients Using Monoclonal Antibodies in a Reference Hospital in the west of Santa Catarina

Abstract

Introduction: The use of monoclonal antibodies has been incorporated into cancer treatment protocols, once their effectiveness has been proven. This type of therapy is costly and its acquisition is still an obstacle for the patient. Objective: To describe the use of monoclonal antibodies in the perspective of purchasing, regulation and judicialization, adverse effects and causes of therapy discontinuation. Method: Descriptive study evaluating patients (n=169) undergoing treatment for cancer in a public hospital, from August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2019. Results: The population investigated consisted mostly of females (n=115). The main neoplasms found were breast (n=64, 36.16%), lymphomas (n=53, 29.94%) and plasma cell/plasmacytoma multiple myeloma (n=25, 14.12%). The most used monoclonal antibodies were trastuzumab (n=65, 35.71%) and rituximab (n=54, 29.67%). Four forms of drug purchase were observed. The purchases through the National Health System (SUS) (n=103, 56.59%) and law-mandated (n=72, 39.56%) prevailed. Most patients had no therapy-related adverse effects (60.3%), but among those who did, the main effects were vomiting and nausea, asthenia, diarrhea, pain, neutropenia and mucositis. Adverse effects/toxicity (n=15), lack of medication (n=11) and delayed approval (n=10) were the most common causes of treatment discontinuation. Conclusion: Monoclonal antibodies are more specific and have lesser effects. For drugs unavailable at SUS, judicialization is an important tool.