Novartis offers 1-year insurance for patients on osteoporosis drug

MANILA, Philippines – Novartis has launched a one-of-its-kind free one-year fracture insurance program for patients receiving the research-based pharmaceutical company’s breakthrough once-yearly osteoporosis drug. 

“Clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of intravenous zoledronic acid in preventing osteoporosis-related fractures is solid. To further encourage at-risk women to receive this proven-effective and convenient osteoporosis treatment, Novartis is launching INSPIRE,” said Dr. Godwin Vivar, osteoporosis manager of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

INSPIRE stands for INSurance Protection to ImpRove patient Experience, a patient-centric Novartis program in which all patients infused with intravenous zoledronic acid receive complimentary insurance coverage of up to P40,000 for one year from the date of infusion for accidental fractures in the hip, back, wrist and/or other sites.

“Upon a patient’s infusion with intravenous zoledronic acid, the prescribing physician signs the patient form as proof of infusion and submits this to Novartis Healthcare Philippines. An insurance certificate from Philam Insurance Co. Inc. will then be given to the patient through the prescribing physician,” Vivar said.

Intravenous zoledronic acid is the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis that works in just one intravenous (IV) dose a year.

In 2008, it received USFDA approval for three more indications: prevention of clinical fractures after a hip fracture in men and women; osteoporosis in men; and prevention and treatment of steroid-induced osteoporosis.

Zoledronic acid belongs to a class of anti-osteoporosis medicine called bisphosphonates, which works to increase bone density.

Intravenous zoledronic acid is the only bisphosphonate brand that has received USFDA approval for the prevention of clinical fractures after a hip fracture.

Postmenopausal women at greater risk

“Because they have less bone mass, women are eight times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women are especially at risk because of the loss of hormones that maintain bone mass,” said Dr. Leilani Mercado-Asis, president of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines.

According to Asis, osteoporosis leads to brittle, fragile bones that make patients more susceptible to fractures, particularly of the hip, spine, and wrist.

Fractures, particularly of the hip, can be disabling and cause enormous medical, economic and social burden, she added.

“Osteoporosis can be prevented by maintaining sufficient levels of calcium and vitamin D through diet and sensible sun exposure, as well as by engaging in regular physical activity. If osteoporosis develops, many effective treatment options are now available. At-risk women should consult their physician regularly for early osteoporosis detection and treatment,” Asis said.

Although effective, bisphosphonates taken orally cause stomach discomfort. Moreover, patients must stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking a bisphosponate pill to ensure optimal drug absorption.

The gastrointestinal side effects caused by oral bisphophonates and their inconvenient dosing regimen are major barriers to treatment compliance among osteoporosis patients.

“A bisphosphonate given as a convenient once-yearly, 15-minute infusion, such as intravenous zoledronic acid, will help patients comply with treatment and enhance treatment success,” said Dr. Erlyn Demerre, a cardiologist at the Philippine Heart Center and an osteoporosis patient herself.

Prof. Maya Herrera, director for financing of the Asian Institute of Management lauded Novartis for implementing the innovative health insurance program.

“With INSPIRE, Novartis provides double protection against the ill effects of osteoporosis.” Herrera said.

“The development of our breakthrough once-yearly zoledronic acid infusion therapy and the launch of the INSPIRE insurance program manifest our commitment to provide better treatment options to more Filipino patients,” said Christine Liwanag, corporate affairs and market access director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.