January 2024 CPAN News Bulletin
Advocacy Chats - Educational Conversations on Cancer Advocacy and Policy Issues
January 10: COA's Crystal Ball: What to Expect from Cancer Policy in the Year Ahead
2024 is a new year with new expectations for cancer care policy. Congress is considering a full slate of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, insurers are facing criticism for making care decisions with artificial intelligence (AI), and COA is pursuing a lawsuit to restore patients’ ability to have critical medications delivered to their home. On Wednesday, January 10, COA's Executive Director Ted Okon, MBA, Managing Director Nick Ferreyros, and Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber, MS, discussed all things policy. Stream it on @OncologyCOA’s YouTube channel.
ICYMI: CPAN's Advocacy Year in Review
2023 was a successful year for federal and state cancer care policy that supports community oncology, thanks to the efforts of CPAN advocates across the country. COA's Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber, MS, was joined by CPAN Advocacy Leaders Lisa Poiry, RN, OCN, and Chelsea Klock, RN, OCN, to recap advocates’ biggest wins of 2023. Stream it on @OncologyCOA's YouTube channel.
Advocacy Spotlight: Emily Touloukian, DO, CPAN Medical Co-Chair, President, Coastal Cancer Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Emily Touloukian, DO, president of Coastal Cancer Center, knows that medical fellows are key to shaping the future of community oncology. Encouraging more physicians-in-training to practice in local, independent clinics will ensure people with cancer continue to have access to high-quality care in their preferred treatment setting: their own community.
In her own fellowship, Dr. Touloukian trained in both an academic and a community setting. The experience was eye-opening—revealing that community oncology was her true calling.
“Students who only train in an academic setting may not even realize community oncology is an option. Showing them how rewarding community oncology can be is the best way to build our workforce and protect access for the millions of patients who rely on independent clinics,” says Dr. Touloukian.
Through the Community Oncology Alliance Fellows Initiative, Dr. Touloukian ensures hematology and oncology fellows don’t overlook community oncology. During her conversations with fellows, she points to the benefits of practicing in the same community as where you live.
“Patients are always more than just a number in community oncology. Practicing where you live gives you this incredible sense of connection to your patients. Those strong bonds build trust and lead to better care and outcomes,” she says.
- To learn about COA and CPAN advocates and their commitment to protecting locally delivered cancer care, visit CPAN’s Advocates & Their Stories page.
Cancer News You Can Use
Drugmakers Set To Raise U.S. Prices On At Least 500 Drugs In January - CNBC 12/29
The expected price hikes come as the pharmaceutical industry gears up for the Biden Administration to publish significantly discounted prices for 10 high-cost drugs in September and continues to contend with higher inflation and manufacturing costs. Worries are also growing about fresh disruption to supply chains from a prolonged Middle East conflict, with shippers forced to halt or reroute traffic from the Red Sea, the world’s main East-West trade route.
Advanced Stage Cervical Cancer Cases On The Rise - Cleveland Clinic 12/29
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and research shows late-stage cervical cancer appears to be on the rise. Early stages of cervical cancer don’t usually involve symptoms and can be hard to detect, making the need for routine pap smears very important. The test can help identify any abnormal cells.
Breast Cancer Vaccine Now In Early Clinical Trials: What To Know - ABC News 12/11
A new vaccine being studied in early clinical trials may hold the potential to help some women with breast cancer. The vaccine, which has not yet been named, targets triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive and deadliest form of breast cancer. The vaccine's first clinical trial found that the vaccine caused no significant side effects and achieved a good immune response in 75% of patients in the trial.
CANCER POLICY MINUTE: The Price of Prescription Drugs: More Complicated Than You Think
Pricing a prescription drug is a complex process that directly affects how much patients pay for cancer care. Check out this Cancer Policy Minute to learn how middlemen make lowering treatment costs for patients even more difficult—underscoring the need for CPAN advocates.
Resources for Chapters
State legislatures across the country kick off their sessions early in the new year. CPAN makes it easy for your practice to get involved with your staff, patients, and community to engage in effective advocacy. Check out our advocacy and chapter resources, including postcards, fact sheets, and videos, which can be customized to fit your practice’s needs.
