Industry News

  • 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



  • AbbVie's Update on COVID-19

    As COVID-19 continues to have an increased impact on our communities, AbbVie continues its focus on the health and safety of employees, healthcare professionals, and patients. AbbVie is collaborating with select health authorities and institutions globally on clinical research related to COVID-19.

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


    4/28/2020



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

    On April 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. 

    CMS states that significant additional funding will continue to be available to hospitals and other healthcare providers through other programs such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL 116-136) and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PL 116-139) for healthcare providers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is distributing these funds through the Provider Relief Fund, and these payments do not need to be repaid.

    View CMS' updated fact sheet on the Accelerated Payment Program and Advance Payment Program here.

    Posted 4/27/2020


  • 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

    On April 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new toolkit to help state and local healthcare decision-makers in managing healthcare workforce challenges in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The online toolkit, developed by the Healthcare Resilience Task Force, includes a full suite of available resources to aid in response based on state and local needs. 

    Access the COVID-19 Workforce Virtual Tookit.

    Posted 4/22/2020


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

    On April 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy™) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who have received at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease.

    Read FDA announcement.

    Read corporate press release.

    Posted 4/22/2020


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

    On April 19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for facilities in areas with a low, or relatively low and stable incidence of COVID-19, to resume providing non-emergent, non-COVID-19 healthcare services. Many non-essential surgeries and procedures have been curtailed since March 18 when the agency recommended that facilities limit non-essential care to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and prepare for potential surge areas.

    The CMS guidance references the White House plan for Opening Up America, released on Friday, April 17. The agency's guidance titled, Opening Up America Again, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Recommendations Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Non-COVID-19 Healthcare: Phase I, notes that "if states or regions have passed the Gating Criteria (symptoms, cases, and hospitals) announced on April 16, 2020, then they may proceed to Phase I."

    Access the CMS guidance.

    Posted 4/20/2020
     


  • 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.


    Posted 4/17/2020



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