Jeffrey F. Patton, MD

There has been a rapid paradigm shift in cancer management from intravenous to oral oncolytics in recent years. Oral oncolytics currently represent the fastest growing segment of the oncology drug market. Although they allow patients greater convenience, they are associated with poorer adherence. Furthermore, the shift from IV to oral oncology therapy reduces the revenue community practices obtain from IV therapy. This reduction in revenue coupled with the erosion of reimbursement in the current health care environment is threatening the viability of many community oncology practices. To sustain the independence of community oncology practices, a diversified revenue stream is critical. Oncology pharmacies, including physician dispensing pharmacies and retail pharmacies incorporated within community oncology practices, provide an integrated approach to patient care across the spectrum of treatment modalities.

*Click on the link to the left for a PDF of the full article.   

There has been a rapid paradigm shift in cancer management from intravenous to oral oncolytics in recent years. Oral oncolytics currently represent the fastest growing segment of the oncology drug market. Although they allow patients greater convenience, they are associated with poorer adherence. Furthermore, the shift from IV to oral oncology therapy reduces the revenue community practices obtain from IV therapy. This reduction in revenue coupled with the erosion of reimbursement in the current health care environment is threatening the viability of many community oncology practices. To sustain the independence of community oncology practices, a diversified revenue stream is critical. Oncology pharmacies, including physician dispensing pharmacies and retail pharmacies incorporated within community oncology practices, provide an integrated approach to patient care across the spectrum of treatment modalities.

*Click on the link to the left for a PDF of the full article.   

There has been a rapid paradigm shift in cancer management from intravenous to oral oncolytics in recent years. Oral oncolytics currently represent the fastest growing segment of the oncology drug market. Although they allow patients greater convenience, they are associated with poorer adherence. Furthermore, the shift from IV to oral oncology therapy reduces the revenue community practices obtain from IV therapy. This reduction in revenue coupled with the erosion of reimbursement in the current health care environment is threatening the viability of many community oncology practices. To sustain the independence of community oncology practices, a diversified revenue stream is critical. Oncology pharmacies, including physician dispensing pharmacies and retail pharmacies incorporated within community oncology practices, provide an integrated approach to patient care across the spectrum of treatment modalities.

*Click on the link to the left for a PDF of the full article.