Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Physician Leaders Co-Author National Commentary Examining Patient-Centered 340B Reform

Published in Evidence-Based Oncology, commentary outlines framework for greater transparency, accountability and measurable patient benefit in cancer care

FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) physician leaders Lucio N. Gordan, MD, president & managing physician, and David Wenk, MD, assistant managing physician, are among 13 community oncology physicians who co-authored a newly published national commentary examining the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program and proposing a more patient-centered framework for its application in cancer care.

"A Patient-Centered Reconstruction of 340B in Oncology: Transparency, Equity, and Site-of-Care Accountability" was published today in Evidence-Based Oncology, a publication of The American Journal of Managed Care, and will be featured on the cover of its October 2026 issue. Dr. Gordan serves as the corresponding author.

Drawing on published research, federal oversight reports and oncology-specific data, the authors examine how the 340B program has evolved and its potential implications for patient affordability, practice consolidation and where patients receive cancer treatment.

The commentary proposes a framework that would more directly connect 340B eligibility to financially vulnerable patients and require measurable evidence that program benefits are improving access, affordability or continuity of care.

"Cancer patients should be at the center of every policy decision that affects how and where they receive care," said Dr. Gordan. "Our examination of the evidence led us back to a fundamental question: Can we clearly demonstrate that the benefit created by this program is reaching the patients it was intended to help? Transparency, accountability and measurable patient impact are critical to that discussion."

Established by Congress in 1992, the 340B Drug Pricing Program enables eligible health care organizations to purchase certain outpatient medications at discounted prices. The authors note the program has expanded substantially over time and that oncology represents a significant portion of 340B drug spending.

Among the framework elements presented in the commentary are patient-level eligibility standards; standardized public reporting and independent audits; greater transparency surrounding contract-pharmacy arrangements and intermediary fees; and patient-facing measures that demonstrate how savings support access to care.

Suggested measures include reductions in patient cost-sharing where permitted, financial and transportation assistance, navigation, medication adherence support, care coordination and continuity of treatment.

"Community oncology provides a unique perspective because we see every day how financial, logistical and clinical factors can affect a patient's ability to access and remain on treatment," said Dr. Wenk. "Creating a clearer connection between program benefits and meaningful outcomes for patients can help keep the focus where it belongs — on ensuring that people with cancer can access high-quality care when and where they need it."

The commentary also examines site-of-care trends and published research on differences between physician-office and hospital outpatient cancer care. The authors propose that eligibility be tied to documented patient need and benefit rather than automatically determined by ownership structure or treatment location.

For FCS, the publication reflects an ongoing focus on value-based cancer care and efforts to improve quality, access and affordability in community settings.

The full commentary, "A Patient-Centered Reconstruction of 340B in Oncology: Transparency, Equity, and Site-of-Care Accountability," is available through The American Journal of Managed Care.

About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com)
For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program.

FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. Through its robust clinical research program with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and a suite of independent site management programs, with advanced clinical trial matching technology, FCS offers patients innovative therapies close to home. Each year, FCS conducts more than 180 active clinical trials that directly elevate patient care and accelerate progress in oncology. Many of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the U.S over the past decade were accessible to patients at FCS through clinical trial participation before receiving approval.

Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes.

SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute