Novartis program assists Filipino cancer patients

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most comprehensive and far-reaching cancer patient access programs ever implemented on a global scale is helping Filipino cancer patients celebrate life.

Since its introduction in 2002, the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) has provided the groundbreaking cancer therapy imatinib at no cost to more than 35,000 cancer patients in more than 80 countries.

Imatinib is a proven-effective treatment for Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

GIPAP is an innovative program of research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis.

In the Philippines, GIPAP has provided imatinib to more than 1,000 CML and GIST patients in need since 2003.

Currently, there are more than 600 active GIPAP patients in the country.

This unique and direct-to-patient access program was implemented in more than 80 participating centers across the country.

In 2001, Novartis partnered with The Max Foundation (TMF), a US-based, non-profit advocacy and patient support group dedicated to improving the lives and survival rates of patients with blood cancer and rare cancers worldwide. TMF assists in the administration of GIPAP.

In 2008, GIPAP in the Philippines evolved into the broader Novartis Oncology Access (NOA) program, an innovative shared-contribution access program that is addressing a huge need in a country with no healthcare reimbursement system and very limited healthcare support from the government. 

As a new and broader access model, the NOA program is benefiting more Filipino cancer patients and, with new approved indications for imatinib, will provide effective treatment to even more patients.

GIPAP patient-beneficiaries and their families recently joined cancer specialists, TMF Station Coordinator and Novartis associates to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the innovative program in the Philippines.

Touched by MAX president Rod Padua presented testimonials of patients who have benefited from GIPAP. Touched by MAX is a core group of Filipino patients with CML and GIST. Padua’s son Maverick is a GIPAP beneficiary. 

“Our mission is to improve, extend and save lives through the discovery and development of innovative medicines,” said Dr. Amelia Palo, Business Unit head for oncology of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

“Aside from GIPAP, Novartis also implements patient access programs for tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy,” she added. 

“GIPAP ensures that all medically eligible patients receive treatment and that no patient is denied access to treatment because of financial reasons,” said Lucy Hickinbotham, Novartis Asia-Pacific oncology affairs director.

Dr. Ma. Belen Tamayo, president of the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, and Dr. Rosalina Anastacio, president of the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, lauded Novartis for implementing a program that promotes access to effective cancer treatments.

Together with hematologist Dr. Edwin Trinidad, Tamayo and Anastacio fielded questions from the patient-beneficiaries and their families during the open forum.

“With our broader NOA program, the Novartis commitment to Filipino cancer patients is stronger than ever,” said Dr. Eileen Sy, head of medical affairs-oncology of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.