Pharmacist Awareness, Knowledge, and Clinical Engagement of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Survey From a Designated Community Cancer Care Hospital

Introduction Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a clinically challenging condition; however, the actual practice and interprofessional engagement of pharmacists regarding MRONJ remain undetermined. We assessed the awareness, knowledge, and clinical engagement regarding MRONJ among pharmacists working at a cancer care hospital, identified the gaps between theoretical understanding and actual clinical practice, and explored strategies for enhancing interprofessional collaboration and educational support. Methods In this cross-sectional survey, we administered a web-based anonymous questionnaire to 65 pharmacists working at the hospital between February 19 and March 18, 2024. The questionnaire covered topics including pharmacist demographics, clinical experience with bone-modifying agents (BMAs), understanding of MRONJ, and experiences with interprofessional collaborations in dental care. Results Response rate was 78.5% (51/65). Most respondents were in their 20s or 30s (33.3% for both age groups) and had <10 years of professional experience. Approximately 90% were aware of MRONJ; however, only 3.9% had encountered an actual case. Many pharmacists demonstrated an understanding of the link between BMAs and MRONJ; however, only 21.6% reported that they "sometimes" assessed oral conditions during medication counseling, and none reported doing so "always." Notably, 45.1% pharmacists reported difficulties in collaborating with dentists, and overall interprofessional engagement remained limited. Most pharmacists expressed a positive attitude toward interprofessional collaborations, and 98.0% acknowledged the importance of working with dental professionals. However, none had provided oral health information to external dental clinics. Conclusions There is a gap between the theoretical knowledge of MRONJ among pharmacists and their clinical experience. Their limited involvement in outpatient dental care suggests the presence of structural barriers. Interprofessional collaboration and educational support systems need enhancement.