ASCO 2015 Highlights

Philadelphia, PA—The field of oncology stands to benefit greatly from molecular diagnostic trends, according to Jane F. Barlow, MD, MPH, MBA, Vice President, Clinical Innovation, Medco Health Solutions, who offered a pharmacy benefit manager’s (PBM) perspective of the role of diagnostics, including the use of companion tests in drug development. These companion tests will represent another potential expenditure and coverage decision for PBM companies.

Philadelphia, PA—As the cost of cancer care continues to rise, payers are struggling with solutions to curtail the cost trend while maintaining value. This was the topic of the preconference session, which opened the 2-day First Annual Conference of the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care on March 29, 2011.

Philadelphia, PA—The “one-size-fitsall” approach to current benefit designs does not recognize that health services have different levels of value; such an approach, therefore, lacks incentives for patients to adhere to diagnostic tests and treatments with proven effectiveness that may help to contain costs to various healthcare stakeholders.

In 2011 we find ourselves in the midst of a “perfect storm” as it relates to cancer care in the United States. More people are being diagnosed with cancer, more patients are living longer with cancer, and the cost of caring for cancer is rising dramatically.

Chicago, IL—Oncologists do not engage in hyperbole. It is not in their nature. If the word “unprecedented” is used to describe a clinical outcome, it’s because something truly remarkable has occurred; such is the case in the reporting of 2 investigations of advanced melanoma at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for the drugs vemurafenib (PLX4032) and ipilimumab (Yervoy).

The focus on value in patient care has taken a prominent place in any discussion related to improving care delivery, but no agreement exists on what that “value” is.

The journey for healthcare costsavings is a never-ending process. One of the newest healthcare delivery models, which is mandated for Medicare beneficiaries in the healthcare reform law, is the accountable care organization (ACO).

Frank discussions with patients about their advanced cancer are challenging for physicians and their patients; however, avoiding such interactions is not a viable option, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

There is no end in sight to the rising cost of fighting cancer, according to Medco’s 2011 Drug Trend Report (www.drugtrendreport.com/2011-report), which forecasted the cost of cancer drugs will grow 34% to 42% over the next 3 years.