HOPA 2025: Matthew Lei, PharmD, BCOP, Shares Critical Themes and Hot Topic Sessions

Pharmacy Times^® interviewed Matthew Lei, PharmD, BCOP, a clinical pharmacy specialist – lymphoma at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Quincy and Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology editorial advisory board member, on key sessions and discussions for pharmacy professionals at the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Annual Conference 2025 in Portland, Oregon from April 9 to 12.

Matthew Lei, PharmD, BCOP, is a clinical pharmacy specialist – lymphoma at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Quincy, a Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology editorial advisory board member, and a Pharmacy Times digital committee advisory member.

Pharmacy Times: Why do you attend the HOPA Annual Conference, and what do you see as the value of the meeting for your work?

Matthew Lei, PharmD, BCOP: The community of oncology pharmacy is far reaching and diverse not only in areas of practice but also geographically. This year is our 21^st annual conference, and we gather to celebrate and highlight the impact that oncology pharmacists have in ensuring that all those with cancer receive the very best care.

I attend the HOPA Annual Conference because connecting with one another and learning together allows us to reach new heights. As therapeutic advances continue to offer novel therapies for people with cancer, our community is vital in advocating for and bringing these therapies to our patients.

Pharmacy Times: What have been some highlights or critical questions that have arisen from prior HOPA meetings?

Lei: The complexities of new cancer treatments presents a challenge and an opportunity for our community in our shared goal of ensuring that each person with cancer receives the very best care tailored to their needs. The challenges in care delivery range from resource constraints, financial pressures, and access barriers, to name a few, and meeting these challenges requires collaboration and innovation.

Questions raised from prior Meetings highlight (1) the need for models of career advancement for oncology pharmacists that allow for continued professional growth, (2) continued education on the delivery of patient-centered care by focusing on topics that matter to patients, and lastly (3) to create opportunities for ideas to be shared and voices heard not only during the annual conference but also through the year.

Pharmacy Times: Who do you think will most benefit from attending the HOPA Annual Meeting?

Lei: The HOPA Annual Conference provides opportunities to learn, share, and network for established oncology pharmacists, new oncology pharmacists, and trainees alike. Since it can be challenging to sift through all of the programming at each meeting, I have found it beneficial to explore sessions with colleagues, old friends, and new ones to invigorate discussion and collaboration. I encourage attendees to connect with one another whether it be with someone who asks a thoughtful question at a session or discussing findings of projects at poster sessions to share and engage.

Conference attendees listen to a speaker. Image Credit: © Saad - stock.adobe.com

Pharmacy Times: Are there any speakers or sessions you think may be particularly important to attend at this year’s meeting?

Lei: There is a wide offering of general and BCOP continuing education sessions that provide a focus on key disease state and therapeutic updates and those that focus on supportive care and practice management topics. I would encourage the exploration of sessions that may apply directly or indirectly to therapeutic areas or topics that those attending may find relevant to their practice.

There are many hot topics where insights from those sessions may be applied in interesting and novel ways. Notable sessions at this year’s meeting include:

• Maintenance Therapy in AML: A Trailblazing Slam Dunk, or a Flagrant Foul on Friday, April 11, from 8:15 to 9:15 AM PT;
• Transforming Excess Into Access: Creation of an Oral Chemotherapy Repository Program, and in the same session 505(b)(2) Drugs: New Chaos for Infusion Centers on Friday, April 11, from 9:40 to 10:40 AM; and
• It’s About Time: Cellular Therapy Primer for Solid Tumors on Friday, April 11, from 4:05 to 5:20 PM PT.

Pharmacy Times: What are your hopes for this year’s HOPA Annual Conference?

Lei: My hope for the HOPA Annual Conference in 2025 is that we’re able to share our challenges and successes in removing barriers to cancer care for our patients. My hope is that through our interactions with one another, we will grow our sense of community and share opportunities for collaboration and innovation in oncology pharmacy practice.