HOPA Now

Precision medicine in oncology holds a lot of promise for personalized treatment - and requires a lot of collaboration! How are practices and institutions implementing it? What are some of the sticking points? What topics aren't being talked about enough? What should pharmacists be demanding out of various tests, trials and diagnoses? To identify and lead us through some of these important conversations, Ben and Matt are joined by HOPA members Mya Tran, PharmD, BCOP, a Precision Genomics Oncology Clinical Pharmacist at Indiana University Health's Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis; and Noor Naffakh, PharmD, MS, BCOP, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the Retzky College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois Chicago.Find out more about HOPA’s Precision Oncology Initiative here: https://www.hoparx.org/resources/precision-oncology-initiative/  You can read the paper Noor mentions about Discordance Recommendation Rate and Drug Cost Avoidance here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36265115/  Noor refers to a joint program between HOPA and ACCP for a certificate in Oncology Genomics – the credits for this live program have since expired, but we may provide a future opportunity like this. Find out more here: https://www.accp.com/education/oncgx26/  You can also learn about a past program similar to this that ACCP offered here: https://www.accp.com/education/pgx/  Find out more about Trial GPT here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/research/trialgpt/  Noor featured in one of the videos from our Time To Talk: Diversity in Clinical Trials campaign, discussing Biomarkers. It can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkSjG9WIYA Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

GLP-1s are one of the hottest hot-button topics in cancer care right now. Not only are these weight-loss drugs becoming more common among the public, but several studies seem to think they could actually help reduce the risk of certain cancer. What are the implications regarding insurance? What potential risks are involved with drug interactions? How do practitioners adjust the treatment plans for patients already using GLP-1s, or would benefit from taking them? To answer these questions and more, Matt and Ben are joined by HOPA member Jennifer MacDonald, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston; and Mohammed Chammout, PharmD, BCMTMS a Clinical Access and Reimbursement Specialist based in Dearborn, Michigan, and founder of MKC Strategic Solutions, a consulting practice focused on specialty drug access, benefit verification, and PBM policy.The ASCO Abstract that Jennifer mentions can be viewed here: https://cdn.bfldr.com/KOIHB2Q3/as/w32hkswgp4jpg66kvw6f5rcs/AM26-Abstract_3143  Jennifer's articles for Pharmacy Times about GLP-1s relating to Endometrial Cancer can be read here: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/authors/jennifer-macdonald-pharmd-bcopMohammed's various articles about GLP-1s for Pharmacy Times can be read here: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/authors/mohammed-chammout-pharmd Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Daraxonrasib is a drug that needs little introduction – it's the potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer therapy that everyone’s been talking about for the past few weeks. It’s a total gamechanger in the fight against one of the deadliest, most aggressive cancers.What are the findings from the RASolute 302 trial? What does its recent FDA approval mean for pancreatic cancer therapy? And how does it impact your patients?  HOPA members Courtney Cavalieri and Benjamin Andrick sat down to discuss everything you need to know.Check out Courtney's article on the drug in the latest issue of HOPA News.Find out more about Daraxonrasib in HOPA's Late-Breaking News article by Michael Arnold: https://www.hoparx.org/latest-news/late-breaking-hopa-news-rasolute-302-breakthrough-in-metastatic-pancreatic-adenocarcinoma/ Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Optimism is an essential trait for oncology pharmacists, something that drives the practitioner's day-to-day and motivates the patient. But it can also transform how we approach the job, domestically and overseas.Diana Tamer, PharmD, BCOP is a clinical associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City school of pharmacy. Originally from Lebanon, and passionate about pursuing a career in dance, her journey changed and led her to practice Oncology Pharmacy in the USA.Peter and Matt sat down with Diana for an inspiring conversation, learning about her experiences volunteering in Côte d'Ivoire through a HOPA initiative; how her faith guides her; and the differences in American and Lebanese oncology pharmacy.Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Cancer care requires harmonious teamwork for the benefit of our patients. Every voice counts, and every opinion should be respected. But sometimes, differences between generations risk impacting that delicate balance. How does a multi-generational team play to each other's strengths, work on improving each other's weaknesses, and reach compromises that benefit everyone?Matt and Peter connected with Millennial Edna Cheung, PGY2 Hematology/Oncology Residency Program Director at Stanford Health Care and Gen-Z Logan Dugas, PGY-2 Resident Oncology Pharmacist at Moffitt Cancer Center. Logan and Edna had a wide-ranging discussion on how they tackle burnout, and what they've learned from peers of all ages.Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 

HOPA member Laura Darland, PharmD, BCOP is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the University of Kansas Health System, and she has an unusual hobby - beekeeping! But you might surprised by just how much it ties into her role as a pharmacist.Peter and Matt sat down with Laura to discuss everything from how to get started in beekeeping, and different tastes and vintages of Honey, to doing rounds on her dad when he was a cancer patient, and the importance of community pharmacy.You can learn more about Laura's experiences with her dad during residency, check out her article in the latest issue of HOPA News: https://www.hoparx.org/about-us/hopa-publications/hopa-news/hopa-news-summer-2026/when-past-moments-turn-out-to-be-a-present-a-reflection/ Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Pack your bags! On this episode of the HOPA Now, Peter and Matt embark on a journey through a career in research, as well as learning all about another country's Oncology Pharmacy practices.Benyam Muluneh is a remarkable researcher, originally from Ethiopia and currently based at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. His body of work notably includes a transatlantic exchange program between Chapel Hill and Addis Ababa.So buckle up and tune into a fascinating conservation that covers everything from how to purse a career in research, and podcasting with your children, to how Benyam and his colleagues handle overseas operations in a country that operates on a different calendar.Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 

HOPA Now continues our deep-dive into how The Pitt accurately represents medical professions by learning about how the creative team infuse plenty of local flavor into the show's setting.To call Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP a renaissance woman would be an understatement. Sylvia is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, on top of being a medical advisor on The Pitt, a filmmaker in her own right, and a breast cancer survivor whose passionate about advocacy through social media.Who better to join Matt to discuss all things Pittsburgh with Sylvia than Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP? Karen is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, a HOPA member, a born-and-raised Pittsburgher and, like Sylvia, a breast cancer survivor passionate about advocacy.The trio cover everything from the history of Freedom House, navigating the film festival circuit, and why you need to try a Primanti Brothers sandwich!The first two seasons of The Pitt are now available to stream on HBO Max, with Season 3 currently in production. Sylvia's short film, In Good Hands, is currently streaming on the ABFF channel on the American Airlines in-flight entertainment platform.Find out more about Sylvia's work, and news about In Good Hands, on her official website: https://www.drsylvia-o.comYou can learn more about Freedom House courtesy of this WQED documentary: https://www.wqed.org/freedomhouse/Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Pharmacists of all kinds have been significantly underrepresented in Film & TV – but that all changed with Season 2 of HBO’s hit medical drama The Pitt. Clinical Pharmacist Dr. Megan Nordt joined the cast, and the pharmacy community was excited to see a fair and accurate depiction of their profession. Her character was a major step forward for pharmacist representation on television. Matt was joined by HOPA’s President-Elect, Kamakshi Rao, to interview the actor portraying Dr. Nordt - Meghana Mudiyam. Their conversation covers everything from Meghana’s process for creating the character, and how the immersive set helped her breathe life into the role, to the positive responses she’s received from the pharmacist community. The first two seasons of The Pitt are now available to stream on HBO Max, with Season 3 currently in production. Find out more about Meghana on her official website: https://www.meghanamudiyam.com/Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] 

It’s possible to come back from a breast cancer diagnosis at a young age – but not everyone who does decides to make it their mission to help others going through treatment. That’s exactly what Stephanie Adams, PharmD did. A HOPA member and infusion pharmacist at UAB medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, Stephanie isn't just a survivor, but a caregiver as well – and a passionate volunteer for breast cancer support.Peter and Matt sit down with Stephanie to chat about her experiences, and everything from cold cap therapy to guiding her parents through their own cancer journey. Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]