With the increase in high-cost oncologic medications being utilized in the inpatient setting, pharmacy leaders need to develop a systematic approach to evaluating, procuring, and accounting for these medications in the departmental budget as well as ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Hospitals may vary widely in the resources dedicated to performing these assessments. Please join us in this series as we discuss strategies for managing high-cost oncologic medications with pharmacy leaders from two large academic medical centers.
REFERENCES/RESOURCES
- Developing High-Cost Therapies Stewardship Policies
- ASHP guidelines on medication cost management strategies for hospitals and health systems
- Implementation of a high-impact medication therapy subcommittee within a large academic medical center
- Standardized Review and Approval Process for High-Cost Medication Use Promotes Value-Based Care in a Large Academic Medical System
Patricia (Patty) Roberts, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCSCP (she/her) is the director of pharmacy for Oncology Services at University Hospitals. She oversees the ambulatory pharmacy services for Seidman Cancer Center. Patty completed a health-system pharmacy administration residency at UNC Medical Center. She has an MS from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and a PharmD from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. She is published in the areas of sterile compounding and safety in medication use.
Indrani Kar, PharmD, DPLA (she/her) is the system pharmacy manager for Formulary and Drug Policy at University Hospitals (UH), a 16-hospital health system in northeast Ohio. With her team, she oversees the system adult formulary, system pediatric formulary, ambulatory medication management, and system medication policy.
Jason Bergsbaken, PharmD, MBA, BCOP (he/him/his) currently serves as interim manager, Oncology Pharmacy; pharmacy coordinator, Regional Oncology Services; and program director, PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency at UW Health and Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy in Madison, WI. In his current role, Dr. Bergsbaken serves as secretary of the institutional oncology P&T committee which oversees review and approval of chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of adult malignancy at UW Health.
Siobhan de Urioste, PharmD, BCPS (she/her) serves as the clinical pharmacy coordinator for Medical/Surgical services at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She obtained certification in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace and is an ASHP Well-Being Ambassador. Her current role focuses on advancing the practice of pharmacy by providing comprehensive patient care.
