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.
