Oncology patient assistance programs
Novartis established the first global direct-to-patient access program – the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) – to ensure patients with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia) or GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor), two rare cancers, receive treatment.
This program, one of the most far-reaching patient assistance programs ever implemented on a global scale, is based on three models:
- Full product donation
- Shared contribution, where local governments, charities or other payors share the cost of the medication with Novartis
- Co-pay, where Novartis and the patient share the cost of the medication on a sliding scale, depending upon the patient's ability to pay
The Max Foundation is our key collaborator in the administration of GIPAP globally, and provides patients with emotional support in addition to treatment.
Novartis has also created TIPAP, an access program for Tasigna (nilotinib). Tasigna is another medicine approved for use by CML patients.
