Oncology Pharmacists Bridge Research and Clinical Care: Minhee Kang, PharmD

As oncology care becomes increasingly complex with the introduction of targeted therapies, oncology pharmacists are playing a larger role in translating emerging evidence into clinical practice.

During the recent Washington, DC, Institute for Value-Based Medicine^® (IVBM^®), Minhee Kang, PharmD, manager of oncology and research pharmacy at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, spoke with The American Journal of Managed Care^® about multidisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and strategies for safely implementing new cancer therapies into routine practice.

This transcript was lightly edited for clarity.

AJMC: Clinical pharmacists often serve as the bridge between evolving clinical evidence and day-to-day practice. How does your team approach educating providers and nursing staff when new targeted therapies or supportive care recommendations are introduced?

Kang: The true role of a clinical pharmacist at our site involves working with the inpatient multidisciplinary team, including attending physicians, fellows, residents, and case managers. A major part of our role is educating the team as they discuss each patient. Because there are so many ongoing clinical trials—especially in breast cancer—we have to stay current on the latest evidence, understand new studies, and know their outcomes. That knowledge helps us actively participate in discussions about selecting the right treatment plan for each patient.

Once a treatment plan is established, our role extends to educating the patient. Another important responsibility is supporting the infusion clinic. When a new medication is introduced, especially a newly formulated therapy, we educate the nursing team before they administer it to the first patient. We review how to administer the medication and what to monitor. We also prepare a 1-page reference sheet for nurses and provide patients with a similar educational handout at the bedside. That is our strategy for educating providers, nurses, and patients.

AJMC: Your background includes investigational drug services, where care teams are often managing therapies before they're widely available. Are there lessons from clinical trial workflows that you think could improve how approved oncology therapies are implemented in routine practice?

Kang: That's why I emphasize how fortunate we are to have our oncology team and research team working together. During clinical trials, investigational medications may only have study names, but every aspect of their preparation, administration, monitoring, and dose modifications is thoroughly documented in the trial protocol.

Even though much of that information is eventually included in the package insert, the detailed knowledge gained during clinical trials is extremely helpful from an operational standpoint. It helps us understand how to prepare medications safely, educate nurses, administer therapies correctly, and monitor patients appropriately.

Clinical trial protocols also provide valuable insight into dose reductions and why certain doses were selected. Understanding that background helps us bridge the gap between clinical trials and real-world oncology practice.

AJMC: For complex therapies that require coordination across multiple departments, what role does standardization—through order sets, clinical pathways, or pharmacist-driven protocols—play in ensuring consistent, high-quality care?

Kang: When we plan complex treatment regimens, we have to think about the multidisciplinary team from the very beginning. Identifying the right stakeholders is critical. We need to determine who should be involved, who needs education, what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how it should be implemented.

Communication is equally important. Some complex regimens extend beyond the oncology team and involve inpatient hospitalists, nursing staff, and sometimes intensive care unit teams. Everyone needs to know whom to contact and how information should be communicated.

Once treatment begins, patients and caregivers also need to know whom to contact if questions arise. That level of planning has to start well before implementation.

AJMC: As the number of targeted therapies continues to grow, do you think the biggest operational challenge over the next few years will be keeping pace with new drugs, managing toxicity, or ensuring equitable patient access, and why?

Kang: New drugs continue to enter the market, which is great because patients have more treatment options. Providers also have more choices, so determining the best treatment sequence becomes a good problem to have.

From the pharmacist's perspective, however, every new medication requires a thorough evaluation before it is added to the formulary. We carefully assess the clinical trial data to determine whether it is an appropriate option for our patients. Without that evaluation, simply adding a medication because it is new may not result in the best patient outcomes.

We also have to consider financial toxicity. Although many insurance plans provide good coverage, patients may still face out-of-pocket costs. Evaluating both the clinical evidence and the financial impact is essential before incorporating a new therapy into routine practice.