NEWS

A recent study evaluated chest, head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation and determined that use of statin medications can reduce the risk of stroke by 32% (statistically significant).  The effects of radiation can cause scarring and thickening of the arteries, which can lead to blockages down the line; statins help protect the arteries and […]

MISSION STATEMENT/PHILOPSOPHY: Mission: To deliver cutting-edge, compassionate, integrated urologic care, supported by evidence-based medicine, that optimizes quality of life for our patients while increasing value to all stakeholders. Vision: We will serve as the national leader in integrated urologic healthcare by setting the standard for patient experience, employee satisfaction, and provider excellence. LOCATION(S): 43 total  (https://www.njurology.com/locations/) […]

A recent study found that patients receiving Daratumumab treatment may benefit from an alternative dosing technique of subcutaneous (SQ) administration vs. the traditional IV infusion.  Clinicians should be aware of advancing developments that have the potential to reduce the treatment burden and positively impact a patient’s quality of life. READ MORE HERE

Although CMS announced that it would not implement DIR fee reform for 2020, some members of Congress are still attempting to address the issue via the Phair Pricing Act (S. 640).  Certain advocacy groups have made the argument that DIR fee reform may lead to lower costs for patients and provide more pricing transparency for pharmacy […]

Mary Anderson, Oral Chemotherapy Nurse Navigator at Norton Cancer Institute and NCODA member was recognized by Norton Healthcare for her exceptional service with their 2019 “Nurse of the Year” award. This award was presented May 13 at a banquet honoring the finest of its more than 5,350 nursing staff members! Read More

Although antineoplastics have retained position as a protected class of medicines with open formularies, CMS did agree to implement Step Therapy with Medicare B medications.  And despite receiving over 4000 comments regarding price concessions and DIR fees, the agency has decided to not include a proposal to pass on price concessions negotiated by the pharmacy to […]

MISSION STATEMENT/PHILOSOPHY: We at Virginia Cancer Institute are dedicated to the delivery of the highest quality medical care to our patients. We are committed to treating our patients with the utmost respect and compassion. We will strive to conduct our practice in a manner in which all employees and outside healthcare providers are treated with […]

On Tuesday, The House of Representatives discussed the Trump proposal for the institution of step-therapy process into medicare plans. Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2019 Barry D. Brooks, M.D., Joins NCODA Executive Council   Cazenovia, NY – The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA)is pleased to announce the addition of Barry D. Brooks, M.D. to their Executive Council. Dr. Brooks joined the Council in April. Barry D. Brooks, M.D., is a hematologist and […]

In what initially appeared to be a move that directly opposed the efforts of state legislation recently passed in the Virginias, CMS is allowing the use of copay accumulators but only in situations in which a generic drug is available.  Luckily for our cancer patients, this should largely not affect them (as copay cards are […]

“All eligible patients with ovarian cancer deserve informed counseling regarding the pros and cons of maintenance therapy, and the option of maintenance treatment in these regulatory approved settings.”  This article from the Oncologist provides and nice summary and valuable insight into the current state of affairs for ovarian cancer patients. Free-registration link here The Oncologist-2019-Randall-theoncologist.2019-0020

A US Senate Finance Committee hearing on drug pricing focused on addressing the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in determining cost to patients. NCODA notes that the Executives from these companies dodged key questions around their policies’ impact on cancer patients. We will continue to support state legislation that increases transparency with the PBMs […]