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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-bcop Mohammed'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.com You 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]

Advocating for cancer care requires a deft touch from someone who can effortlessly navigate the halls of congress with a expert and bipartisan approach - and HOPA is lucky to have Jeremy Scott of CRD Associates on the hill on our behalf. Peter and Matt grill Jeremy on how HOPA members can get involved in our virtual and in-person hill days in Washington, D.C., as well as his personal connection to lobbying for cancer care. This episode offers an inside look into how things operate in the capitol. Find out more about how to participate in upcoming HOPA Hill days at https://www.hoparx.org/about-us/advocacy-awareness/activities/hopa-hill-day/ Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The HOPA Now Podcast is back! Matt and Peter chatted with patient advisory panel member and cancer survivor Kathryn Redden to learn about her effective methods for self-advocacy, and how it can benefit the practitioner as much as the patient.  Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]

Matt and special guest co-host Jeremy Whalen sit down with HOPA members to discuss their unusual hobbies, how they strike a successful work-life balance, and explain how their side-hustles have actually helped them in their careers. Classical Hindustani vocalist Divya Khandekar; Professional Carolina Shag dancer and small business owner LeAnn Norris; and Harp-playing Past President LeAnne Kennedy joined us onstage for a fun and fascinating chat, followed by a lively audience Q&A. You can watch some of Divya's performances on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@musicroomchicago Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

HOPA wrote a book! Healing, Optimism, Pharmacy, and Advocacy: Stories and Perspectives from Oncology Pharmacists is the brainchild of President Robert Mancini and a dedicated task force headed by Kristen McCullough and Latha Radhakrishnan. This collection of 30 contributions from oncology pharmacists across 5 continents provides some incredible viewpoints and experience – some moving, some profound, and all designed to share what it’s like to be part of our unique profession.   Peter and Matt sat down with Robert and one of the contributing authors, ISOPP member Gisele Fraga Moreira, who joined us from Boise and Brazil, to discuss their contributions to the publication, and offered a preview of what readers can expect from it.   It will be available onsite to everyone attending this year’s HOPA Annual Conference in New Orleans – not registered yet? It’s not too late! Check out rates and more at https://hopa.cventevents.com/x9y7R3    And if you’re going, why not join us for the first ever live episode of HOPA Now, in front of an audience? It’s taking place on Friday March 27 @ 5.30PM in Rooms 388-90.   Kristen McCullough’s article can be read here: https://ascopubs.org/do/do-you-see-me-candid-message-pharmacist-physician   Joseph Kalis’ article can be read here: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-chemotherapist  Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]

One of the most common pathways to becoming a hem/onc pharmacist is through pharmacy school, followed by residency. It’s a path many of our members have undertaken. But what’s it like to experience that journey now?   Peter and Matt explore the student-to-resident pipeline with members who are currently undertaking it - LB Mason, a final-year pharmacy student at the University of Georgia in Athens; Tyler Vaglivelo, a PGY1 resident at the University of Connecticut; and Megan Wolff, a PGY2 resident at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.  Our roundtable discussion covers everything from the best advice they can share with others in their position, and tips for improving patient interactions, to decompress through cooking.  Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]

Sick of hearing about AI in every aspect of your life? Want to know where it's actually needed, and where it can make a real difference in oncology pharmacy? Matt and Peter cut through the noise to figure out where it really fits into the future of Cancer Care in a special roundtable episode. They’re joined by experts in their field – Alan Yee, PharmD, MS, Research Pharmacist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; and Nada Alsuhebany, PharmD, BCOP Chairman of Clinical Trial Management at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Ravi B. Parikh, MD, MPP, FACP, Medical Director of the Winship Data and Technology Applications Shared Resource, and Director of the Human Algorithm Collaboration Laboratory at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.  Learn the essentials; discover the key differences between types of AI; consider its role in education; understand the intricacies and guardrails of patient privacy; assess whether it’s a threat to the pharmacy workforce; and so much more.   RESOURCES MENTIONED  You can access FIP’s AI Toolkit for Pharmacy here: https://www.fip.org/file/6202   Open Evidence: https://www.openevidence.com/   JAMA AI: https://jamanetwork.com/channels/ai   https://sdaia.gov.sa/en/Research/Pages/EducationIntelligence.aspx  https://snih.gov.sa/en/  https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en  https://ecsme.ksu.edu.sa/en  https://lean.sa/index.html  https://executive.mit.edu/course/artificial-intelligence-in-health-care/a056g00000URaaTAAT.html  https://xpro.mit.edu/courses/course-v1:xPRO+AIHCx+R1/  https://execonline.hms.harvard.edu/artificial-intelligence-in-health-care-from-strategies-to-implementation  https://online.stanford.edu/programs/artificial-intelligence-healthcare      HOPA does not endorse any of these resources, and these recommendations reflect the individual opinions of our guests.  Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]