Situation
For patients living with chronic conditions, access to treatment can be shaped as much by financial circumstances as by the availability of the medicine itself.
In countries with limited healthcare infrastructure and significant financial disparities, the cost of treatment can prevent patients from starting or completing their prescribed therapy. These challenges are particularly important in disease areas such as oncology, where access to appropriate treatment can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.
For a multinational pharmaceutical company, the challenge was to develop an approach that could improve access while reflecting the financial realities of patients across diverse markets.
Solution
The company established an Access to Medicines initiative and partnered with Axios to develop and implement sustainable access solutions tailored to local market realities.
In 2017, the company launched a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) designed, managed, and implemented by Axios International to support patients in Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and Lebanon. Throughout the Program, each patient underwent a confidential financial assessment through Axios’ validated Patient Financial Evaluation Tool (PFET) to determine their ability to contribute toward the cost of their full treatment course. Based on these results, the company covered the remaining portion of the treatment plan, ensuring accessibility without imposing undue financial burdens.
The model subsequently expanded across additional markets, including Egypt, Brazil, Kenya, Thailand, Ukraine, the UAE, Indonesia, Tanzania, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Iraq and Oman.
Beyond implementation, Axios provided real world insights into program performance, including factors affecting treatment adherence and reasons for treatment discontinuation, enabling continuous program optimization.
Results
As of 2024, the program has supported over 7,600 patients across 20 countries, providing access to essential treatments for oncology, rare diseases, and other chronic conditions. The PAPs address affordability challenges by covering a significant portion of treatment costs and ensuring patients complete their prescribed regimens through program support. By collaborating with healthcare providers, pharmacists, and local distributors, the PAP has bridged gaps in treatment access, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.
