Research Presented by The US Oncology Network at ASCO 2025 Demonstrates Significant Cost Savings in Community Oncology Setting with Pharmacist-Driven Interventions

Findings show engagement of remote clinical pharmacists reduced total cost of cancer care by nearly $9 million across five practices

To address the rising costs of cancer drugs, investigators from The US Oncology Network (The Network), the largest organization of its kind dedicated to advancing local cancer care and better patient outcomes, explored the impact of engaging a remote clinical pharmacist in reducing the total cost of care (TCOC) within the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). From July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, seven ClinReview pharmacists (CRPs) within five EOM-participating practices in The Network evaluated more than 5,600 patients for medication initiatives. During the same period, The Network had 12 practices in the EOM nationwide, accounting for approximately 50% of all providers participating in the program. A total of 1,271 interventions were identified, with 1,180 accepted. The sum of TCOC reduction amounted to $8,982,235. Six medication initiatives were implemented and the breakdown of each initiative and average TCOC reduction per intervention are shown in the table below and will be presented in a rapid oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting:

In addition to the six medication initiatives outlined above, the CRPs contributed an additional $1,201,326 in medication savings associated with drug selection.

“With the national cost of cancer care estimated to exceed $245 billion by 2030, this study provides a clear roadmap for oncology practices looking to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes,” said lead author Daniel Kendzierski, PharmD, senior clinical pharmacist, The Network. “These findings underscore the critical role of pharmacist-driven medication interventions in driving the success of value-based care models in oncology.”

Study Methodology

Medication initiatives were clinically evaluated and adopted at an individual practice level and included moAB dose rounding, pembrolizumab dose banding, biosimilar TIC to preferred products, use of a preferred PD-1 agent in metastatic NSCLC, decreased upfront usage of long-acting GF in metastatic cancer, and preferred use of zoledronic acid over alternatives. CRPs remotely reviewed oncology treatment orders for cost-savings opportunities, updated eligible treatments per practice protocols, or reviewed with the treating oncologist. Interventions were submitted by the CRPs into a tracking system and marked as an EOM-related intervention. TCOC reduction was calculated using the difference between the CMS allowable for the original treatment ordered and the new order.

Other Research at ASCO 2025

Physicians in The Network are affiliated with dozens of studies being presented at ASCO 2025. Their research highlights clinical and operational findings covering key topics such as the impact of AI on care delivery, access to oncology resources for minority patient populations, and patient experiences with novel therapies.

“As cancer care costs continue to escalate, community oncology practices need novel therapies and innovative solutions to deliver high-quality, affordable care,” said Leslie Busby, MD, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee chair and incoming chief medical officer, The Network. “Research presented at this year’s ASCO around digital transformation and patient care delivery in community settings highlights the direct impact practices in The Network have on the communities they serve. This research helps inform how we can continue driving value-based care forward and improving cancer care for all oncology patients.”

The Network is supported by McKesson, which has an unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners that provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping address barriers and improve cancer and specialty care. At ASCO, McKesson-supported businesses including The Network, Ontada, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), are part of approximately 170 accepted abstracts and presentations. These are inclusive of oral and poster presentations, educational sessions, late-breaking studies, and early-phase studies. Click here for a full list of SCRI-affiliated studies and presentations and here for Ontada-affiliated abstracts.

Expert Panel on Precision Medicine in Community Oncology during ASCO 2025

Additionally, McKesson will be participating in a thought leadership panel hosted by Endpoints News on June 4, 2025, at 12:10pm ET, titled, “The Future is Now: Digital Transformation Unleashes Precision Medicine in Community Oncology.” Click here to register and join the panelists as they share their insights and perspectives on actionable steps and solutions for community oncology practices to seamlessly integrate precision medicine into their care offerings:

• Jason Hammonds, chief operating officer, Oncology & Specialty, McKesson
• Andrew McKenzie, PhD, vice president, Personalized Medicine, SCRI and scientific director of Genospace
• Eric Lander, MD, oncologist, Minnesota Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network
• Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS Kickers

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About The US Oncology Network

Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 2,700 independent providers deliver value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure, and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.

About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions

It’s an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson, our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care.

• McKesson is fueling discovery by helping patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home through its joint venture with Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
• The US Oncology Network and McKesson Provider Solutions are advancing specialty care and high-quality cancer care in the communities where patients live by supporting the practices of thousands of independent, community-based providers.
• Ontada^®, a McKesson business dedicated to oncology, generates real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), and provides clinical education and provider technology to inform and improve cancer care.
• As a leading distributor of oncology and specialty medicines, we are ensuring medicines make their way to those who are counting on them.
• And through CoverMyMeds, Biologics by McKesson, and GPO services, our work continues to help patients access, afford, and adhere to their medicines.

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