The Pharmacist's Role in Palliative and End of Life Symptom Management

Program Description

As chronic, life-limiting illnesses increase, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are integral in optimizing pharmacologic therapies for symptom management at the end of patients' lives. This article explores common disease states and associated symptoms in end-of-life care, such as pain, dyspnea, nausea/vomiting, delirium, and constipation, and the pharmacist's role in their pharmacologic management. Participants will learn to apply the Pharmacist's Patient Care Process to end-of-life symptom management. Other roles and responsibilities discussed include comprehensive medication review, deprescribing non-beneficial medications, opioid conversions and rotation, and monitoring for adverse drug events. The article also features insights on communication, ethical considerations, shared decision-making, and emerging roles like telehealth and pharmacogenomics in palliative care, reinforcing the pharmacist's expanding impact on quality of life at the end of life.

Target Audience: Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist, Consultant Pharmacist, Health System Pharmacist, Managed Care Pharmacist, Oncology Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Retail Pharmacist, Specialty Pharmacist

Type of Activity: Knowledge
Release date: September 30, 2025
Expiration date: September 30, 2026
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify the pharmacist's contributions to the interdisciplinary team in palliative and hospice care settings
• Examine the role of the pharmacist in managing symptoms and optimizing medication therapy for patients receiving end-of-life care
• Explain how the Pharmacist's Patient Care Process can be applied to end-of-life symptom management.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-25-269-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 30, 2026.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Faculty

Jessica E Geiger PharmD, MS, BCPS

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Adam C. Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA; Victoria Chirdo; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times® Editorial Staff— Aislinn Antrim

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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