BMS Patient Assistance Transportation Program

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has partnered with CancerCare to provide free local transportation to patients during the COVID-19 national emergency. This program will provide free transportation for patients to and from their community oncology provider. Working with a nationwide transportation provider, practices will be able to organize free local transportation to and from appointments in clean vehicles.

Community oncology practices must register to be part of this program. Simply fill out this form and COA will provide you with details on how to book travel for patients needing transportation.

Posted 4/28/2020

Genentech's Response to COVID-19

Genentech takes the health and safety of its patients, customers, employees, and local communities very seriously, and are actively responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Genentech knows that needs will continue to emerge over the coming weeks and months, and they are closely monitoring and evaluating the situation as it evolves.

For more information on Genentech's response to COVID-19, please visit its website. 

Posted 4/28/2020

CMS Re-evaluating Accelerated Payment Program; Halting Advance Payment Program

Pfizer Oncology Announces Transition of IBRANCE® (palbociclib) from Capsules to Tablets

Pfizer Oncology is pleased to announce that IBRANCE^® (palbociclib) is transitioning from capsules to tablets. The new film-coated tablets will be dispensed in blister packs, whichh are designed to enable patients to track where they are in their treatment cycle. The tablet formulation is bioequivalent to the capsule formulation.

IBRANCE® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced, or metastatic breast cancer in combination with:

• an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy in postmenopausal women or in men; or

• fulvestrant in patients with disease progression following endocrine therapy.

Read the trade sheet for the tablet formulation. 

Posted 4/24/2020

FDA Approves KOSELUGO™ for Neurofibromatosis-1 with Plexiform Neurofibromas

On April 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved KOSELUGO™(selumetinib) for the treatment of children two years of age and older with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have plexiform neurofibromas (PN) that cannot be completely removed by surgery. 

Read corporate announcement.

Read product fact sheet.

Posted 4/23/2020

CMS Launches COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Toolkit

FDA Approves Sacituzumab Govitecan-hziy in Previously-Treated Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

CMS Issues Guidance for Some Facilities to Re-Start Non-Essential Services

FDA Approves Tucatinib in Combination for Advanced HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

On April 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tukysa (tucatinib) in combination with chemotherapy (trastuzumab and capecitabine) for the treatment of adult patients with advanced forms of HER2-positive breast cancer that can’t be removed with surgery, or has spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, and who have received one or more prior treatments.

Read FDA announcement.

White House Guidance Suggests Phased-In Approach for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions

On Thursday, April 16, the White House released guidance for a phased-in approach for easing social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions instituted in response to the novel coronavirus-19. In a call with state governors on Thursday, President Trump said that each state can determine its own plan for reopening, and that the White House three-phase plan titled, "Guidelines: Opening Up America Again," was intended to serve as general guidance and was not a mandate.

Some state governors are starting to lay out forward-looking scenarios. However, state governors remain concerned about relaxing stay-at-home restrictions too early, before there is the capacity to clearly identify who is sick and where.