The impact of pharma on the future of oncology

Cancer profoundly impacts every aspect of a person’s life, leading patients and their families to become deeply involved in their care decisions. Oncologists often view it as the hospital’s duty to facilitate data sharing among stakeholders, while the public expects physicians to manage this responsibility. This mismatch in expectations between consumers and healthcare providers is complex.

However, pharmaceutical companies in oncology can bridge this gap by connecting oncologists and patients with essential data and resources. With their strong ties to physicians, health systems and patients, these companies are well-positioned to enhance the oncology care continuum.
 

Where can pharma help?

Emerging healthcare companies are developing tests to detect cancer earlier to address these challenges. For instance, Grail’s Galleri is a multi-cancer early detection tool that identifies several types of tumors with a single blood test, detecting cancer at stages that are often missed by routine screenings. Further, by partnering with, you can gain access to industry experts who can guide you through every step of treatment planning and implementation.

Beyond early detection, the pharmaceutical industry can enhance patient care by facilitating access to second opinions, clinical trials and complex post-diagnosis treatments. Pharma consulting companies can bridge the gap by creating tech-enabled support programs and digital solutions that connect patients with care teams and resources, improving patient support and trust.
 

Pharma’s role as a data aggregator in oncology

Oncologists widely support connected health, recognizing its potential to address several critical priorities. In ranking the benefits of connected care, oncologists highlighted their top five priorities:

• Reducing healthcare costs
• Coordinating care among various healthcare providers
• Improving preventive care
• Increasing time spent with patients during visits
• Simplifying access to comprehensive patient medical records across the healthcare system
   

The future of health in oncology: Keeping up with the pace of change

Oncology is a highly dynamic field, with a rapid influx of new treatments, clinical trials and biomarker discoveries, which outpaces individual tracking efforts. According to a 2021 Precision Oncology News survey, 30% of oncologists feel overwhelmed by the speed of advancements and struggle to keep up with biomarker guidelines. Additionally, 10% of oncologists reported lacking clinical decision-support tools at the point of care. While pharmaceutical companies possess the expertise, tools and resources to assist oncologists and patients, they must navigate this landscape thoughtfully.