ATOPP 2025: Pharmacy Innovation at the Intersection of EOM and Patient Access

At the 2025 Advanced Topics for Oncology Pharmacy Professionals (ATOPP) Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, the evolving role of oncology pharmacists under the Enhanced Oncology Model (EOM) was a critical topic of discussion. In this interview with Pharmacy Times®, Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, FACCC, FAPO, director of pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology and assistant professor of pharmacy at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota, expands on his ATOPP Summit presentation by exploring how pharmacists can lead efforts in value-based oncology care.

Hanna offers practical strategies for integrating pharmacy services into EOM frameworks, improving care coordination, managing therapeutic costs, and aligning with performance metrics. Hanna also highlights the importance of leveraging clinical decision support tools and interoperable data systems to document impact and enhance outcomes across the cancer care continuum.

Pharmacy Times: How do you see the role of oncology pharmacists evolving under the EOM, particularly in relation to care coordination and patient outcomes?

Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, FACCC, FAPO, is the director of pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology and assistant professor of pharmacy at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.

Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, FACCC, FAPO: Under the EOM, oncology pharmacists are poised to play a significantly expanded role, particularly in care coordination and improving patient outcomes. As EOM emphasizes patient-centered care and cost containment, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to bridge clinical and operational gaps. Their expertise in medication management allows them to optimize chemotherapy regimens, manage adverse effects (AEs), and ensure adherence, all of which are critical to achieving the model’s goals.

Pharmacists can also support care coordination by collaborating with oncologists, nurses, and primary care providers to streamline transitions of care, reduce medication errors, and provide patient education—especially around complex regimens and financial toxicity. This holistic involvement enhances the patient experience and contributes to better clinical outcomes.

Pharmacy Times: What metrics within value-based care models are most impacted by pharmacy services, and how can pharmacists contribute to meeting or exceeding these benchmarks?

Hanna: In value-based care models such as the EOM, several key metrics are directly influenced by pharmacy services. These include medication adherence, hospitalization and emergency department visit rates, total cost of care, and patient-reported outcomes. Pharmacists contribute to these benchmarks by conducting medication reconciliation, managing AEs, and implementing evidence-based therapeutic substitutions. Their involvement in formulary management and biosimilar adoption also supports cost-efficiency without compromising care quality. By proactively identifying high-risk patients and intervening early, pharmacists help reduce avoidable complications and readmissions, thereby improving performance on value-based metrics.

Pharmacy Times: What are some practical steps health system pharmacies can take now to prepare for integration into value-based oncology care frameworks such as EOM?

Hanna: To prepare for integration into frameworks such as the EOM, health system pharmacies can take several practical steps. First, they should establish interdisciplinary teams that include pharmacists in care planning and decision-making. Second, investing in training programs focused on value-based care principles and oncology-specific competencies will ensure pharmacists are equipped to meet evolving demands. Third, pharmacies should develop protocols for medication therapy management, biosimilar use, and financial counseling. Finally, aligning pharmacy services with EOM’s redesign activities—such as patient navigation and social determinants of health screening—will position them as essential contributors to the care team.

Pharmacy Times: Given the increasing focus on cost-effectiveness, how should pharmacists balance financial stewardship with clinical decision-making in formulary management and therapeutic substitutions?

Pills and tablets on a landscape. Image Credit: © Geekminds - stock.adobe.com

Hanna: Balancing financial stewardship with clinical decision-making is increasingly important in oncology pharmacy. Pharmacists must evaluate therapies not only for efficacy and safety but also for cost-effectiveness. This involves leveraging real-world evidence, comparative effectiveness research, and pharmacoeconomic data to guide formulary decisions. When considering therapeutic substitutions, pharmacists should engage in shared decision-making with clinicians and patients to ensure that cost-saving measures do not compromise individualized care. Transparent communication about drug costs and outcomes is essential to maintaining trust and achieving optimal results.

Pharmacy Times: What technology or data infrastructure is necessary to support pharmacists in tracking value-based performance metrics and ensuring documentation aligns with EOM requirements?

Hanna: To support pharmacists in tracking value-based performance metrics and aligning with EOM requirements, robust technology and data infrastructure are critical. This includes integrated electronic health records with clinical decision support tools, data analytics platforms for monitoring outcomes and costs, and systems for documenting pharmacist interventions. Interoperability between pharmacy systems and broader health IT infrastructure ensures seamless data exchange and supports real-time decision-making. Additionally, dashboards that visualize key performance indicators can help pharmacists identify trends, measure impact, and continuously improve care delivery.