Pharma Pulse: Cencora to Acquire AON, Amazon and Google Back ePA Expansion

Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast bringing you the latest insights shaping patient access, regulatory policy, and healthcare innovation. I'm your host, and let's get into today's headlines.

First up, Cencora has signed a definitive agreement to acquire American Oncology Network (AON), a physician-led network of more than 350 oncology providers across 21 states.¹ The transaction values AON at an enterprise value of $2.4 billion, made up of $2.3 billion at closing and up to $100 million in contingent value rights. Cencora, an AON investor since 2020, holds roughly 4% of the company's equity and will acquire the remaining interests.

The deal extends Cencora's oncology management services organization into 12 additional states. Clinical decisions will remain with AON's physicians.

Next, HHS, through CMS and the Department of Labor, announced that five major employers have signed a statement of support to bring the electronic prior authorization capabilities being developed under the 2025 Prior Authorization Pledge to self-funded health plans.² The employers are Amazon, Axon Enterprise, Google, Meta and Oracle. The effort targets a large segment of the commercial market: citing Census data, the agencies say more than 53% of Americans, or over 180 million people, get coverage through self-funded employer plans, which often rely on third-party administrators to handle prior authorization.

It builds on voluntary commitments major health plans made in June 2025 and on CMS' Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, which requires certain payers to implement electronic prior authorization for medical items and services starting Jan. 1, 2027. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said patients and doctors "shouldn't have to fall back on faxes and paperwork" because of how a plan is funded.

Lastly, FDA has finalized its guidance on prescription drug use-related software, replacing a draft issued in September 2023.^3,4 The guidance covers software disseminated by or on behalf of a drug sponsor that produces end-user output tied to the sponsor's products, and FDA considers that output a form of prescription drug labeling. Apps connected to a medical device, such as one paired with an asthma inhaler, generally should be described in the prescribing information. Standalone apps, like symptom trackers and dose reminders, should appear on the label if the sponsor can show the app is essential to safe and effective use or delivers a meaningful clinical benefit. In most cases, FDA said, content a companion app displays to users will be treated as promotional material. Compared with the draft, the final version adds a decision tree for labeling determinations and sample prescribing information language.

Jared Seehafer, FDA's deputy commissioner for technology, said companion apps are evolving from basic dose reminders into tools tailored to individual patients, and that the final guidance gives sponsors and their tech partners a stable foundation as the technology advances.

That's it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com. Thanks for listening, until next time, stay well and stay informed.

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References

1. Cencora. "Cencora to Acquire American Oncology Network to Strengthen Support of Community Oncology." October 21, 2026. https://investor.cencora.com/news/news-details/2026/Cencora-to-Acquire-American-Oncology-Network-to-Strengthen-Support-of-Community-Oncology/default.aspx
2. US Department of Health and Human Services. "Leading Employers Back Expansion of Electronic Prior Authorization to Self-Funded Health Plans." October 21, 2026. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/leading-employers-expand-electronic-prior-authorization-self-funded-health-plans.html
3. US Food and Drug Administration. "FDA Issues Final Guidance on Prescription Drug Apps and Software." October 20, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-final-guidance-prescription-drug-apps-and-software
4. Federal Register. "Regulatory Considerations for Prescription Drug Use-Related Software; Guidance for Industry; Availability." October 21, 2026. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-21516