United by their interest in preserving access to community cancer care, more than 50 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, nurses, oncologists, and other community members gathered in Fort Worth in July to launch the first official
Texas Oncology CPAN Chapter
. Specializing in hematology, pediatric, and radiation oncology, Texas Oncology operates 210 cancer treatment centers statewide.
Experts from CPAN shared resources and tips for becoming effective cancer care advocates, locally and nationally. Chapter members and advocates discussed how to raise important issues like cancer clinic consolidation, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and the 340B drug pricing program in conversations with their local lawmakers.
Also in Texas,
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
held a CPAN chapter event in July to educate advocates about the impact of biosimilars and PBMs on their cancer care. Biosimilars are less costly imitations of drugs known as biologics, which are used to treat a range of diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and anemia. Biosimilars have potential advantages in the treatment of cancer, as they introduce competition into the drug development process, which can lead to cost savings for patients and spur the development of new treatments.