Oncology Trends and Testing Gaps Shape Precision Care Delivery: Abby Kim, PharmD

Oncology care is constantly evolving, and it’s important for clinicians and pharmacists alike to stay up-to-date on various trends within the space, according to experts at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) annual meeting held April 13 to 16, 2026, in Nashville.

The education session “Oncology in Focus: What’s Hot, What’s Next” delivered an overview of 6 key areas within the oncology space to help clinicians identify the oncology treatments reshaping the landscape and the evolution of clinical pathways. More specifically, novel therapies within the oncology sphere are causing clinicians to reimagine how care is delivered and precision medicine as a whole, said one of the panelists, Abby Kim, PharmD, senior director of clinical strategy and oncology specialty solutions at Prime Therapeutics, in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^®.

However, despite the proven efficacy of these newer therapies, testing gaps create significant hurdles and delays to treatments, she said. Because once patients receive those tests, it’s easier for clinicians to tailor patients’ care accordingly.

AMCP is currently working on a couple initiatives to close these gaps, Kim said.

“In terms of vernacular, working with guideline bodies to really standardize language within guidelines and update guidelines to be more clear about something that should be done vs when it should be considered,” she said. “But I think continued education across the managed care community, as well as the provider community, [is necessary] to understand what cancers need biomarker testing and when it needs to be done.”

Additionally, Kim emphasized the evolution of clinical pathways, through which low-value care can be limited.

“We’re really seeing a focus move from not just what drug to use but what drug not to use,” she said, “and really trying to limit the use of low-value care or low-value drugs that might not be providing the level of efficacy or safety that we would really want for patients or members.”