2025 – Axios International

Accelerating Sustainable Treatment Initiation with Axios’ On-Time Access (OTA) Solution

Posted on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by Axios

When it comes to access to healthcare, affordability is only part of the equation. At Axios International, we’ve spent over 28 years supporting patients through Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), helping nearly 10 million people across 100+ countries access the treatment they need. But over the years, we’ve seen a recurring challenge: even when financial support is available, patients may still encounter obstacles that delay treatment initiation – and those delays can have serious consequences for medical outcomes.

To overcome these critical barriers, Axios International developed On-Time Access (OTA), a new solution that complements Axios-managed PAPs by not only improving affordability but also ensuring patients can begin treatment without delay and stay on treatment.

What happens if the financial support provided by the PAP is not sufficient?

In Axios-managed PAPs, patients receive a personalized plan that outlines how much of their treatment cost will be covered and what portion, if any, they need to contribute. The level of financial support received by each patient is based on their financial capacity, as assessed through Axios’ proprietary, validated Patient Financial Eligibility Tool (PFET).

The Solution: On-Time Access (OTA)

OTA is an innovative, value-added service offered to patients enrolled in existing Axios-managed PAPs that ensures no one is held back from starting treatment due to cash flow challenges or reimbursements delays.

OTA offers several models to help patients who require additional support starting their prescribed treatment:

Cash Gap Support: For patients who can afford their share of the treatment cost but are waiting for funds or reimbursement, OTA offers zero-interest support. Patients borrow funds at zero interest to receive the medicine now and repay once funds are available via a personalized plan, without hidden costs.

Partial Contribution Assistance: For patients who cannot afford their share of the treatment cost, OTA can provide additional financial support to cover their share and start treatment right away.

OTA models are fully compliant with local legal and regulatory obligations and offer a built-in calculated risk for all funding partners with no surprises. These strong control measures ensure access programs using OTA remain sustainable and effective in helping patients achieve optimal medical outcomes.

OTA in Action
As of June 2025, OTA has been implemented across 7 countries and has supported 5,000+ patients in accessing high-value specialty medicines.

Program Highlight

OTA has been integrated into an Axios-managed Patient Assistance Program for an immunology treatment in Egypt, and is delivering the following results:

Faster Treatment Initiation
Patients enrolled in the program were able to get their medication within one week of program enrollment.

High Physician and Patient Acceptance
More than 1,500 patients – who could not previously access appropriate treatment options – have been referred to this program since its launch.

Enhanced Adherence to Treatment
92% of patients remain on treatment without any interruptions. Only 8% of patients discontinued treatment, primarily due to factors beyond their control, not financial barriers.

Optimized PAP Scalability and Sustainability
Given the program’s success in Egypt, OTA has been expanded to Kenya, Malaysia, and Thailand.

By bridging the gap between affordability and timely access, OTA is setting a new standard for patient-centered access solutions.

Why Traditional Access Models Don’t Work for Rare Diseases, And What Needs to Change

Posted on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by Axios

When most people hear “rare disease,” they imagine something extremely uncommon, perhaps affecting only a handful of people worldwide. But the reality tells a different story. According to Rare Disease International, there are between 6,000 and 8,000 known rare diseases, impacting an estimated 300 million people globally. That’s more than the population of the United States.

Yet despite affecting millions, rare diseases remain underserved when it comes to treatment access. That’s because traditional pharmaceutical access models simply weren’t built for the unique challenges rare diseases present.

The Problem with Traditional Access Models

Conventional access pathways are often designed for high-volume treatments. In rare diseases, the opposite is true and that changes everything. Challenges include:

Small patient populations – rare diseases often affect less than 2,000 people.
High-cost, low volume therapies with few or no alternatives – putting immense pressure on pricing, reimbursement, and sustainability.
Complex local registration and distribution processes – which can slow or even block treatment availability entirely.

In this environment, models that prioritize volume, broad distribution, and standard market-entry timelines simply don’t work.

What Rare Disease Access Requires

An effective rare disease access strategy must be built for complexity and sustainability from the start. That means:

Enabling patients to access their full course of treatment, not just a few boxes.
Collaborating directly with local hospitals and providers to navigate product registration and supply chain obstacles.
Engaging regulators, payers, and distributors early to address requirements and ensure long-term access.
Creating win-win solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders, from pharmaceutical companies to patients and caregivers.

The path forward: The next frontier in rare disease innovation isn’t just discovery—it’s delivery

As more rare disease therapies enter pharmaceutical pipelines, access models must evolve. Success will depend on shifting the focus from volume to patient-centered models that will enable these innovations to reach the greatest number of people.

To make that happen, the path forward is clear:

Prioritize patient need, not volume.
Design sustainable, flexible access pathways.
Anticipate local regulatory and supply chain barriers. Don’t wait to react, plan ahead.
Make innovation accessible, no matter how rare the condition.

Rare diseases may be individually uncommon, but together they represent a significant global health challenge. It’s time for access models that recognize that reality, because in rare disease, getting access right isn’t just about business. After all, what’s the purpose of innovation if it doesn’t reach the people it was intended for?

Rare Disease Care and Treatment in Mexico: An Evolving Landscape

Posted on May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 by Axios

In Mexico, it is estimated that between eight and 10 million people live with a rare disease (RD), consistent with the global estimate of 6-8% of the population.¹ The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that there are currently more than 7,000 described rare disease diagnoses, which are often difficult to diagnose and treat, particularly because 70% of them manifest in childhood and more than 95% still lack specific therapies.¹ This global reality underscores the urgent need to address local disparities in rare disease care and treatment, as each lost year can lead to poor health outcomes and financial hardship for families.

The good news is that the pharmaceutical pipeline for rare diseases is significant, and Mexico has adopted mechanisms to accelerate the development and approval of treatments for rare diseases, including a regulatory pathway for orphan drug designation._²

Advancements in Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment in Mexico

In recent years, Mexico has made significant progress in enhancing access to rare disease diagnosis and treatment through regulatory and clinical advancements that align with international standards. Yet, considerable work is still needed to ensure these advancements reach all patients who need them.

The Mexican Congress recently began an initiative to help collect necessary data to develop evidence-based policies for rare diseases, establishing a National Registry of Rare Diseases. Furthermore, the Rare Disease Diagnostic Unit at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has reduced the diagnostic process for hundreds of families to less than two years using telemedicine, genomic sequencing, and the expanded neonatal screening program, which covers 65 conditions.²

“Although the health system has improved, some patients still wait years for a diagnosis. Early intervention would make all the difference,” says Juana Inés Navarrete Martínez, a geneticist and the coordinator of the Department of Genetics at the Faculty of Medicine of UNAM. On average, the ‘diagnostic odyssey’ lasts four to eight years, requiring patients to visit up to eight specialists.³

When it comes to treatment, Cofepris, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks—Mexico’s central regulatory authority—has granted orphan status to 96 medicines and minimized authorization time to an average of six months.⁴ Despite this momentum, many of these orphan-designated medicines do not appear in the basic tables of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), or IMSS-Bienestar. They are also largely not covered by private insurance, leaving many families with no choice but to pay out-of-pocket – or, as is often the case, go without treatment all together.

Given the high cost of many rare disease treatments, improving access to treatment for both insured, uninsured or underinsured patients, remains a critical priority.

“Patient Access Programs, such as those designed by Axios International, can help provide sustainable models to help patients access the treatment they need for the long term. These programs have benefited thousands of patients in 40+ countries around the world, including Mexico,” says Silvia Méndez, Axios International’s Regional Operations Lead in Mexico. “It’s important that we explore how to scale these programs to be able to reach more rare disease patients in Mexico.”

Dr. Navarrete Martínez adds: “These programs for patients are very important because they make invisible diseases visible. Organized patients help put these diseases on the radar.”

What The Future Holds

As Mexico continues to strengthen its approach to rare disease care, collaboration across sectors will be key to building a more inclusive and effective healthcare system. Policymakers, healthcare providers, patient advocates, and industry leaders must work together to advance diagnostics, streamline regulatory pathways, and implement sustainable access models.

By prioritizing rare disease patients and investing in long-term solutions, Mexico can lead the way in transforming rare disease care, not just as a national imperative, but as a model for other emerging economies striving to do the same.

Sources

¹ World Health Organization. Rare Diseases: A Global Health Priority. Geneva: WHO; 2025.
2 Grand View Research. Mexico Clinical Trials Market Size & Outlook, 2023–2030. Grand View Research; 2023.
³ El Economista. Challenges of RRS diagnosis. El Economista. February 17, 2024.
⁴ El Economista. Cofepris recognizes 96 orphan drugs. El Economista. March 2, 2024.
⁵Government of Mexico. Press release 004. Mexico City: Coordinación de Salud Global; June 30, 2023.

How Personalized Support Improves Chronic Disease Medication Adherence

Posted on May 14, 2025May 16, 2025 by Axios

13 May, 2025

WHY DO SOME PATIENTS STAY ON TREATMENT WHILE OTHERS DROP OFF?

When a patient is newly diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as heart failure or asthma, they often begin treatment with the best intentions. But many discontinue within just a few months. Why?

A new peer-reviewed study by Axios International, published in the Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, explores this question using real-world insights from our programs in the UAE to help shape more effective, personalized adherence strategies.

REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE: KEY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ADHERENCE

This study followed patients newly diagnosed with one of five chronic diseases—ankylosing spondylitis, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, or asthma—for at least 12 months. Using real-world data collected through Axios’ Patient Needs Assessment Tool (PNAT), researchers were able to analyze the key predictors of sustained treatment versus early discontinuation. PNAT is a proprietary tool developed by Axios to identify the risk factors most likely to impact long-term adherence in chronic disease care and determines the most effective adherence interventions based on his/her identified risk factors. (Read more about PNAT here.)

IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Study findings highlight the importance of personalizing adherence interventions to help patients stay on treatment and achieve better medical outcomes. Tools like Axios’ PNAT can help identify at-risk patients early and inform the development of targeted interventions that directly address the medical, behavioral, emotional, and social barriers to adherence. With the right tools and personalized approaches, we can support patients not only to begin care, but to sustain it over time to achieve optimal medical outcomes.

Read the full article: Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Learn more about PNAT: Axios PNAT Tool

Tailored, need-based adherence interventions through personalization and customization

Posted on February 5, 2025February 6, 2025 by Keagan Kurien

6th February, 2025

Coping with chronic diseases and compliance to treatment has been crucial for managing chronic illnesses and achieving better health outcomes, yet it continues to remain a significant challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), less than 50 percent of patients adhere to their medication regimens as prescribed. This has resulted in substantial clinical and economic burdens, including increased hospital admissions, higher morbidity and mortality rates, escalated healthcare costs, and reducing patient health outcome and quality of life.

A science-based, personalized, customized methodology builds need-based adherence interventions, as reminders alone are insufficient for ensuring long-term adherence. By studying real-world insights and data early on, Axios’ experts design and implement successful interventions that are tailored to individual needs with elements of personalization and customization. These interventions typically integrate reminders within a broader ecosystem of support, including but not limited to educational, motivational, and behavioral strategies in patient support programs.

Studies have shown that multifaceted interventions, which address various dimensions of adherence, are more effective than single component interventions. A key to the success of these interventions is building a caring relationship and understanding the patient’s situation and needs through validated methodology – a unique approach adopted by Axios International. Axios’ experts and patient care team provide care based on personalized adherence support plan, often empowering individuals to take responsibility in managing their condition and adopting positive behavior toward their health.

_{Stock image: A caring approach influences individuals to take responsibility in managing their condition}

Adherence is influenced by multiple dimensions, key among which are those related to specialized healthcare professional and system that seamlessly connects this care to patients no matter where they are, access to the full course of treatment, socioeconomic, and other condition factors surrounding the patient.

“These diverse elements require comprehensive and science-based strategies and methodology to design adherence interventions that are tailored and need-based,” says Dr. Anas Nofal, Chief Business Officer at Axios International. “It isn’t enough to simply know what is required for proper adherence; one must also thoroughly understand and address all major factors that directly impact the decisions for long-term adherence. Hence, a 360-degree approach to patient care is important,” he adds.

After diagnosis, patients often lapse in adhering to treatment regimens. By providing access to maximized adherence solutions through the Patient Support Programs (PSPs) we manage, Axios always aims to create an integrated ecosystem of care and treatment by looking at the patient journey holistically. Patients receive 360-degree support from the Axios Program team, who engage and enable them through interventions like education, awareness, and the enablement of coping mechanisms for their condition with shared decision making. Axios’ agile and multi-disciplinary experts ensure the much-need care is delivered through these personalized interventions.

_{Stock image: Studies show personalized approach helps in implementing successful adherence interventions}

Once patients are referred to a patient support program managed by Axios, the patient care team at the CareLine hub ensures that patients’ needs are met individually. Using Axios’ validated and proprietary tool, the Patient Needs Assessment Tool (PNAT), the specialized patient care team then customizes a tailored service solution for patients and develops a personalized adherence support plan.

The success of Axios’ adherence interventions is measured and reflected through an increase in treatment compliance rate, decrease in patient dropout rates, and increased stay on treatment which ultimately improves health outcomes.

How treatment affordability challenges vary around the world

Posted on January 30, 2025February 10, 2025 by Keagan Kurien

30th January, 2025

Access to healthcare is not just a need—it’s a matter of survival. Yet, in many parts of the world, millions of people are unable to access their treatment due to affordability challenges. From Latin America to Asia to the Middle East and Eastern European regions to Sub-Saharan Africa, treatment affordability is shaped by a complex web of factors, including economic disparities, healthcare systems, governance structures, and geographic barriers.

To make some innovative and high-cost treatment more accessible for patients, Axios International takes a systemic and novel approach – from strategy to implementation – to design impact-driven creative access strategies that outline market access decisions.

But what are the primary barriers that prevent people from accessing treatment globally?

“The first point is the cost of treatment. There will always be a level of new innovative treatment that, regardless of the affordability of the person, will be challenging to complete the full cost,” says Omer Karfis, Global Head Access Solutions at Axios International.

“Secondly, when you look at the average income or GDP of almost 70 percent countries in the world, you will find that people cannot afford medication especially for chronic diseases. Lastly, not all countries have a health coverage that can bear the costs for high-cost treatment,” he adds.

In many parts of the world, including dynamic economies, the challenge of treatment affordability is compounded by vast geographic distances, infrastructure, shortage of healthcare funding, and the evolving cost of new and innovative treatment which reflects in the high cost of that treatments ultimately leading to disparity in access to care.

Using the Affordability and Economic models, Axios evaluates the development and implementation of a sustainable access strategy based on the country needs, country landscape, and other factors that contribute in choosing the most suitable model to be implemented.

The Affordability Model is used to measure the patient’s ability to share part of the cost for their treatment plan. The model is real demonstration for a contribution of different stakeholders with one goal which is supporting patient, in that each stakeholder participate based on their ability even patient who share part of their treatment cost based on their affordability.

_{Stock image: Everyone talks about equality, but we talk about affordability and equity}

Axios has addressed the problem by designing innovative cost-sharing affordability models based on geographic and economic indicators. “Implementation of affordability models in high-income countries is not suitable for a low-income population. For instance, in some countries where the average affordability is around $500 per year, the models must be designed to accommodate such financial constraints. This requires a strong collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including charities to ensure that the support system remains sustainable and effective,” he explains.

“Everyone talks about equality, but we talk about affordability and equity. We usually say one size doesn’t fit all but with an experience of 27 years designing such solutions, you will find that the most successful model was the cost sharing model based on affordability solution,” says Omer.

_{Stock image: The global challenges of treatment affordability are vast and multifaceted, but they are not insurmountable}

Meticulous process of designing an access model

The practical application of these models involves a meticulous process of design, evaluation, and continuous improvement. It begins with a thorough study to ensure the model aligns with the specific needs of a region to be sustainable. Once implemented, the model is continuously monitored and updated to reflect changes in economic conditions, healthcare systems, and patient needs. Feedback from patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders is vital in this process, allowing for necessary adjustments to maintain the model’s relevance and effectiveness.

The core of these affordability models lies in patient-centric design and execution, ensuring that the system is not only sustainable but also compassionate and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders involved in a compliant manner.

“When Axios introduced the novel concept of making treatment more financially accessible by having patients pay what they can afford while pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders cover the rest, it marked a significant shift in access to healthcare. The approach centered on collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to ensure their medicines reached patients regardless of affordability issues,” adds Omer.

As healthcare budgets become tighter globally, many countries are increasingly relying on innovative financial models and tailored cost-sharing initiatives to ensure that patients can access the treatments they need.

Studying a diverse approach

The global challenges of treatment affordability are vast and multifaceted, but not insurmountable. By studying the diverse approaches taken by countries around the world through Real World Insights (RWI), we can learn valuable lessons about what works—and what doesn’t. Axios utilizes RWI through its programs when they are implemented which helps improve and optimize the programs to better address the evolving patient needs.

“The traditional access models e.g. buy X get Y free are not effective as they leave a lot of patients behind and may be perceived as a marketing tool rather than access strategies by key stakeholders,” says Valeriia Mykolaienko, Senior Consultant at Axios International.

She adds: “We create solutions that work and fully address the local context and business priorities, ensuring patient needs are met.”

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Year: 2025