Mayo Clinic's senior director of managed care pharmacy, Susan Wescott, RPh, MBA, has highlighted the critical need to remove barriers to biomarker testing in oncology, emphasizing its importance for both patient outcomes and financial efficiency in cancer care.
Speaking at the recent AMCP Nexus conference in Las Vegas, Wescott revealed concerning statistics about the current state of precision medicine implementation. "Only 36% of our patients are receiving the right treatment driven by precision medicine," she noted, pointing to a significant gap in utilizing biomarker testing to guide therapy choices.
Key Barriers to Biomarker Testing
Several obstacles currently impede widespread biomarker testing adoption. These include:
- Delayed test ordering before therapy initiation
- Insufficient patient referrals for biopsies
- Inadequate test samples
- Laboratory processing issues
- Prior authorization requirements
For patients unable to undergo traditional biopsies due to advanced disease or poor health status, Wescott suggested liquid biopsy as an alternative diagnostic approach that could provide valuable treatment guidance.
Financial Implications and Cost-Benefit Analysis
While biomarker testing costs can reach $5,000 per test, Wescott argues that this expense is justified when compared to the broader financial context of cancer treatment. "Drug therapy is $150,000 or more per year," she explained. "Choosing the right therapy really makes a lot of sense, financially."
Recommendations for Improving Access
The most impactful change, according to Wescott, would be eliminating prior authorization requirements for genetic testing. This single modification could significantly improve survival chances for patients, particularly those with non-small cell lung cancer.
For cases requiring immediate treatment initiation, Wescott suggested using interim solutions: "If there is an urgency to start treatment, there are some options there, like using a platinum doublet... without harming the long-term overall survival of patients."
Educational Initiatives
Wescott emphasized the importance of education for both healthcare providers and patients about the value of proper testing timing. Understanding why waiting for test results before beginning treatment is crucial could improve compliance and outcomes.
The expert's insights underscore a growing recognition that removing administrative barriers to biomarker testing not only enhances patient care but also represents sound financial stewardship in cancer treatment.
