Article Type
Changed
Thu, 12/15/2022 - 14:36

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the VHA NPOP on prescribing and prior authorization approval of targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Background

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels have seen increased use to guide oncology therapeutic decision making. In-line with the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, the VHA established the National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) in July of 2016 to provide veterans with easier access to CGP and help match patients with commercially available targeted oncology therapies based on their tumor molecular profile.

Methods/Data Analysis 

A retrospective review within the VHA was conducted on patients who underwent CGP testing through the VHA NPOP from July 2016 through December 2020. Prior authorization drug request (PADR) consults for targeted oncology therapies for which CGP is a companion diagnostic for use were queried and approval outcomes were determined. NPOP interfacility consult (IFC) data was queried and matched to PADR and prescription data to determine if the IFC therapy recommendation was accepted and prescribed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient demographics and characterize PADR and IFC outcomes.

Results 

From July 2016 to December 2020, 16,312 tumor and blood samples from 130 unique VA medical centers representing 15,467 veterans were analyzed. Approximately 15% of veterans were prescribed targeted oncology therapies that required a PADR with a 95% approval rate. Targeted therapy recommendations with corresponding level of evidence was seen in 160 of 425 IFCs. Among 160 IFCs with targeted therapy recommendations, 75 had the recommendations accepted with two denied by PADR after local review. Recommended therapies were ultimately received by 72 patients as one patient did not have an active drug order.

 

Implications

Implementation of the VHA NPOP has increased access to CGP for more than 15,000 veterans. Availability of CGP results may have affected PADR approval outcomes of targeted therapies in approximately 15% of veterans. Approximately 50% of IFCs led to approval and subsequent prescribing of recommended therapies. Further analysis of these data and trends may help guide future prescribing practices and aid with development of clinical pathways involving molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Author and Disclosure Information

Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, VA National Oncology Program, Duke University School of Medicine

Issue
Federal Practitioner - 38(4)s
Publications
Topics
Page Number
S10
Sections
Author and Disclosure Information

Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, VA National Oncology Program, Duke University School of Medicine

Author and Disclosure Information

Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, VA National Oncology Program, Duke University School of Medicine

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the VHA NPOP on prescribing and prior authorization approval of targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Background

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels have seen increased use to guide oncology therapeutic decision making. In-line with the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, the VHA established the National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) in July of 2016 to provide veterans with easier access to CGP and help match patients with commercially available targeted oncology therapies based on their tumor molecular profile.

Methods/Data Analysis 

A retrospective review within the VHA was conducted on patients who underwent CGP testing through the VHA NPOP from July 2016 through December 2020. Prior authorization drug request (PADR) consults for targeted oncology therapies for which CGP is a companion diagnostic for use were queried and approval outcomes were determined. NPOP interfacility consult (IFC) data was queried and matched to PADR and prescription data to determine if the IFC therapy recommendation was accepted and prescribed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient demographics and characterize PADR and IFC outcomes.

Results 

From July 2016 to December 2020, 16,312 tumor and blood samples from 130 unique VA medical centers representing 15,467 veterans were analyzed. Approximately 15% of veterans were prescribed targeted oncology therapies that required a PADR with a 95% approval rate. Targeted therapy recommendations with corresponding level of evidence was seen in 160 of 425 IFCs. Among 160 IFCs with targeted therapy recommendations, 75 had the recommendations accepted with two denied by PADR after local review. Recommended therapies were ultimately received by 72 patients as one patient did not have an active drug order.

 

Implications

Implementation of the VHA NPOP has increased access to CGP for more than 15,000 veterans. Availability of CGP results may have affected PADR approval outcomes of targeted therapies in approximately 15% of veterans. Approximately 50% of IFCs led to approval and subsequent prescribing of recommended therapies. Further analysis of these data and trends may help guide future prescribing practices and aid with development of clinical pathways involving molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the VHA NPOP on prescribing and prior authorization approval of targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Background

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels have seen increased use to guide oncology therapeutic decision making. In-line with the White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, the VHA established the National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) in July of 2016 to provide veterans with easier access to CGP and help match patients with commercially available targeted oncology therapies based on their tumor molecular profile.

Methods/Data Analysis 

A retrospective review within the VHA was conducted on patients who underwent CGP testing through the VHA NPOP from July 2016 through December 2020. Prior authorization drug request (PADR) consults for targeted oncology therapies for which CGP is a companion diagnostic for use were queried and approval outcomes were determined. NPOP interfacility consult (IFC) data was queried and matched to PADR and prescription data to determine if the IFC therapy recommendation was accepted and prescribed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient demographics and characterize PADR and IFC outcomes.

Results 

From July 2016 to December 2020, 16,312 tumor and blood samples from 130 unique VA medical centers representing 15,467 veterans were analyzed. Approximately 15% of veterans were prescribed targeted oncology therapies that required a PADR with a 95% approval rate. Targeted therapy recommendations with corresponding level of evidence was seen in 160 of 425 IFCs. Among 160 IFCs with targeted therapy recommendations, 75 had the recommendations accepted with two denied by PADR after local review. Recommended therapies were ultimately received by 72 patients as one patient did not have an active drug order.

 

Implications

Implementation of the VHA NPOP has increased access to CGP for more than 15,000 veterans. Availability of CGP results may have affected PADR approval outcomes of targeted therapies in approximately 15% of veterans. Approximately 50% of IFCs led to approval and subsequent prescribing of recommended therapies. Further analysis of these data and trends may help guide future prescribing practices and aid with development of clinical pathways involving molecularly targeted anti-cancer therapies.

Issue
Federal Practitioner - 38(4)s
Issue
Federal Practitioner - 38(4)s
Page Number
S10
Page Number
S10
Publications
Publications
Topics
Article Type
Sections
Disallow All Ads
Content Gating
No Gating (article Unlocked/Free)
Alternative CME
Disqus Comments
Default
Gate On Date
Thu, 09/23/2021 - 14:15
Un-Gate On Date
Thu, 09/23/2021 - 14:15
Use ProPublica
CFC Schedule Remove Status
Thu, 09/23/2021 - 14:15
Hide sidebar & use full width
render the right sidebar.
Conference Recap Checkbox
Not Conference Recap
Clinical Edge
Display the Slideshow in this Article
Medscape Article
Display survey writer
Reuters content
Disable Inline Native ads
WebMD Article