COPA about us COPA

Supporting and Advocating for Independent Oncology Pharmacies

What is the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association?

The Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA) is a network for medically integrated pharmacies—pharmacies within medical centers that provide patient-centered and multidisciplinary care—in independent community oncology and urology practices. COPA breaks down regulatory and operational barriers to ensure patients have timely and unrestricted access to pharmacy services as an integral part of their care.

OUR MISSION

The mission of COPA is to ensure that cancer patients receive high quality, cost effective, medically integrated pharmaceutical care in their own communities.

The Value of Medically Integrated Pharmacies

Medically integrated pharmacies provide oral medications to treat cancer and cancer-related conditions. More than half of all oncology drugs launched in the last five years are delivered orally. In response, many community oncology and urology clinics have established on-site dispensaries, enabling pharmacists to coordinate directly with clinicians and patients to quickly adjust treatment plans, avoid adverse events, improve adherence, and reduce the amount of time patients wait to access treatment.

The benefit of medically integrated pharmacies has become more evident with the rise of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and third-party specialty pharmacies that often disrupt the physician-patient relationship, are less convenient and more expensive for patients, and cause more waste and spending.

COPA Empowers its Members

A network of pharmacists, pharmacy staff, practice administrators, and other affiliated practice professionals, COPA is a powerful peer-to-peer collaboration network that helps them navigate an increasingly complicated oncology environment and improve pharmacy operations. By sharing insights, COPA offers a forum for the advancement of integral cancer treatment dispensing clinics.

Members of COPA have access to free resources to help them tackle issues that challenge their ability to serve patients. These include legal support and templates to address issues that threaten care delivery such as PBMs, network access, and DIR Fees; tools to maintain specialty pharmacy accreditation through our exclusive partnership with ACHC; pharmacy and practice benchmarking software; standardized quality metrics; and pharmacy education and meetings.

COPA is an initiative of the Community Oncology Alliance, the nation’s only non-profit solely dedicated to advocating for and supporting independent community oncology and urology practices and the patients they serve. Through this, COPA members receive a powerful voice in advocacy with elected officials and key regulatory agencies at the federal and state levels.

OUR VISION

Enhance the provision of oncology care across the country by advocating and preserving patient choice in the pursuit of the highest quality pharmaceutical care.

Get Involved and Join COPA

COPA membership is free and exclusively available to members of community oncology and urology practices with medically integrated pharmacies. Representatives from all levels of the pharmacy and practice teams are invited to join COPA

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Advisory Board

COPA is honored to be under the leadership of these inspiring individuals.
  • COPA johnclagg e1676993427795
    John Clagg, RPh
    The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
    Fort Worth, TX
  • COPA jonas congelli e1676993390635
    Jonas Congelli, RPh
    Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY
    East Syracuse, NY
  • COPA josh cox e1676993349881
    Josh Cox, PharmD, BCPS
    Board Chairman
    Dayton Physicians Network
    Kettering, OH
  • COPA Steve DAmato e1676993324616
    Steven D’Amato, BS Pharm, BCOP
    Scientia Pharmacy Advisors, LLC.
    Portland, ME
  • COPA 23Wendy.hemmer wendalee.hemmer@usoncology.com 26
    Wendy “Wendalee” Hemmen
    US Oncology, Texas Oncology
    St Louis, MO
  • COPA howardlevine e1676993305370
    Howard Levine, PharmD
    Queens Medical Associates
    Fresh Meadows, NY
  • COPA jefflombardo e1676993184906
    Jeff Lombardo, PharmD, BCOP
    CCS Oncology
    Wheatfield, NY
  • COPA MarkNelson e1676993168947
    Mark Nelson, PhamD
    Northwest Medical Specialties
    Tacoma, WA
  • COPA Yen Nguyen Photo e1676993122558
    Yen Nguyen, PharmD
    Oncology Consultants
    Sugar Land, TX
  • COPA Ollis Tom photo e1676993104427
    Tom Ollis, MS, RPh
    Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC
    Bridgewater, NJ
  • COPA christine pfaff e1676993084537
    Christine Pfaff, RPh
    The Mark H. Zangmeister Cancer Center, A Division of American Oncology Partners
    Columbus, OH
  • COPA bob phelan e1676992994789
    Bob Phelan
    Cancer Specialists of North Florida
    Jacksonville, FL
  • COPA Board Willyard
    Darrell Willyard, PharmD
    Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
    Tulsa, OK
  • COPA cox austin
    Austin Cox
    Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
    Birmingham, AL

COPA Liaison & Administration

  • COPA Ricky COA Headshot e1676992948698
    Ricky Newton
    Chief Financial and Operating Officer
    Community Oncology Alliance
    Virginia Beach, VA
  • COPA judith IMG 522913194111 e1676993042826
    Judith Alberto MHA, RPh, BCOP
    Director of Clinical Initiatives
    Community Oncology Alliance
    Washington, DC
  • COPA Johanna Copa e1676993066955
    Johanna Hopkins
    Manager of Industry Relations
    Community Oncology Alliance
    Virginia Beach, VA

COPA logo

The Community Oncology Alliance

COA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for community oncology practices and, most importantly, the patients they serve. COA is the only organization dedicated solely to community oncology where the majority of Americans with cancer are treated.

The mission of COA is to ensure that cancer patients receive quality, affordable, and accessible cancer care in their own communities. More than 1.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year and deaths from the disease have been steadily declining due to earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Cancer treatment can be intense and span many years requiring regular physician visits for chemotherapy and checkups. Keeping patients close to their homes, families, and support networks lessens the burden of this devastating disease. With the majority of Americans battling cancer receiving treatment in the community setting, it is imperative that the vitality of the community cancer care delivery system be preserved.

For more than 15 years COA has built a national grassroots network of community oncology practices to advocate for public policies that benefit patients. Individuals from all levels of the cancer care delivery team – oncologists, hematologists, pharmacists, mid-level providers, oncology nurses, patients and survivors – volunteer their time on a regular basis to lead COA and serve on its committees.

By offering innovative solutions to Congress and policymakers, empowering patients, and working closely with other healthcare stakeholders, COA is helping to shape a future where all Americans have access to quality, affordable cancer care.