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.
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?
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. 5 Government of Mexico. Press release 004. Mexico City: Coordinación de Salud Global; June 30, 2023.
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.)
TOP FACTORS LINKED TO ADHERENCE
The study found that patients were significantly more likely to remain on treatment if they:
Were satisfied with the time spent with their doctor
Felt involved in making treatment decisions
Could manage their disease confidently
Received emotional and practical support from family and friends
Had low dependence on others for daily activities
One of the most predictive factors was the quality of time with the prescribing physician. In fact, patients who reported a positive experience during consultations were nearly seven times more likely to continue treatment at 12 months. Conversely, those who reported high levels of anxiety and stress were far more likely to be lost to follow-up—a term the study used as a proxy for likely discontinuation of treatment.
Cultural and social factors also played a role. Over the 12-month period, patients reported significant changes in areas such as:
Difficulty participating in community activities
The influence of cultural habits
The role of spiritual beliefs
These insights suggest that as patients adapt to life with a chronic condition, their personal and social environments shift in ways that may either support or undermine their ability to stay on treatment.
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.
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.
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.”
Healthcare services are rapidly evolving and moving to digital formats when it comes to services outside the physical environment. A popular part of this growth is the rise of mobile health (mHealth) apps which play a key role in healthcare automation. However, as the world digitalizes, a pertinent question arises: do patients truly want these apps to track their healthcare?
Recent trends suggest that the answer is a resounding yes, especially when these apps are designed to meet specific patient needs and concerns. Mobile health applications, electronic health records, telehealth, telemedicine, and wearable devices enable patients to monitor their health, allowing physicians to detect potential health issues early, and develop personalized treatment plans based on the patients’ own data and health history.
Jean-Noel Saba, Digital Health Manager for Axios+ at Axios International says that digital health tools have truly transformed the way we manage our health. “By tracking our health data, we can become more proactive about our well-being, making informed decisions that can lead to better health outcomes. It’s not just about improving efficiency or cutting costs; it’s about giving patients the power to take charge of their health journey. This patient centered approach – upon which Axios+ is built – is key to making a difference in our patients’ day-to-day lives and long-term health,” he says.
Stock Image:While interest in health apps is high, patients are increasingly particular about the apps they use and how those apps, in turn, use their data
Increased usage and interest
Concurrently, the use of mHealth apps to access medical records and manage health is rising. In the US alone, the HealthIT.gov reports an increase in app usage to access medical records, with 51 percent of individuals doing so in 2022, up from 38 percent in 2020. The growing reliance on digital tools for health management is clear in daily life, with patients finding these apps convenient for frequent access to their health information.
While the interest in health apps is high, patients are increasingly particular about the apps they use and how those apps, in turn, use their data. Nishapa Leeleartkij from Thailand is an ulcerative colitis patient who is enrolled in the Axios International’s Patient Support Programs (PSPs). Since her diagnosis a few years ago, the 45-year-old has been using digital apps to monitor her condition, “I use different apps for different purposes. Some help me to understand the patterns of my medical condition, so I can better manage my lifestyle and treatments to prevent or minimize flare-ups. So many apps are available for patients to choose from, so the key is to find the best one that suits your needs.”
Patients worry about data breaches
Concern is paramount for patients when it comes to digital healthcare tracking, data privacy, and security. Despite healthcare institutions and data owners implementing stringent security measures when storing and managing data, patients worry about data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive health information, thus preventing some from embracing digital health trackers.
Additionally, patients can easily experience information overload with social media and internet search engines providing health information on demand. So, it is crucial for physicians and other healthcare providers to not only present data in a format that patients can easily understand but also anticipate questions about their condition and debunk untruths patients may encounter online. Those who are less comfortable with technology might find digital health tracking intimidating or cumbersome to navigate without training or support from health tech providers.
Nishapa shares, “I have struggled with some of the more complicated app usage and data upload instructions in the past, which has prevented me from utilizing digital health tracking apps more effectively. I tend to shy away from those that do not have adequate, clear instructions on how to upload my health data.” With apps and ease of access to digital services now second nature, a significant majority of patients strongly desire to manage their health digitally. According to PYMNTS.com, a digital data platform, 76 percent of patients show interest in using digital methods, including apps, to track their health. This interest is particularly pronounced in younger generations, given their propensity to receive healthcare insight and education from social media applications on the go and who are even willing to switch healthcare providers for better digital health management options. The convenience of digital interactions for appointment reminders, test results, and communication with providers is highly sought after, reflecting a shift towards a more tech-savvy patient demographic.
In Mexico, patients’ perspectives on using mobile apps for health care monitoring are mixed. A study conducted in 2023 by the specialized portal Doctoralia revealed that 65 percent of respondents use some type of mobile technology to manage aspects of their health, such as medication reminders or virtual consultations. However, only 42 percent of them were completely satisfied with current applications due to concerns about data privacy and the accuracy of the information provided.
Graciela M., a patient with type 2 diabetes from Mexico City, says: “The apps help me to monitor my glucose levels, but I am always afraid that my data could be used without my consent, and I feel that the data about my disease is only of interest to me, my family and my doctor.” This feeling is common among users, who fear that their personal data could be shared with third parties without their knowledge. On the other hand, other patients value the convenience and access to these apps’ real-time information, allowing them to better manage their health.
Stock Image: Concern is paramount for patients when it comes to digital healthcare tracking, data privacy, and security
Consumers driving future of healthcare
Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer at Google Health, emphasizes that “the future of health is consumer driven. People will expect a mobile-first experience with more personalized insights, services, and care.” However, the success of these apps hinges on their ability to align with consumer expectations and provide a seamless user experience. Jean-Noel adds, “While the benefits of digital health tracking are clear, there’s still room for improvement. Health tech providers need to focus on making their solutions user-friendly, offer solid tech support, and prioritize stronger data security and privacy. By addressing these areas, we can help more patients feel comfortable and confident in embracing digital health solutions as a whole.”
The potential benefits of these tools are immense, empowering patients to take charge of their health. However, for digital health tracking to be widely embraced, healthcare providers and tech companies must address issues like data security and ease of use. By doing so, they can create a future where digital health tools are not only.
Flexibility is crucial in today’s market. Over the past 25 years, we have adjusted our resources based on current needs and embraced different work models to connect with our global teams
In today’s fast-changing business landscape, cost efficiency and adaptability are more than just buzzwords; they are essential for staying competitive. In my 15 years with Axios International, I have seen first-hand how a commitment to cost-effective strategies has put us at the forefront of the healthcare industry.
So, here is how we do it.
At Axios, we believe in doing more with less. Streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation, and maintaining a lean structure are key to our operational efficiency. We focus on being financially conscious while investing in improving our operations, learning, and development. This approach has been crucial in ensuring that Axios delivers high-quality services without unnecessary overheads.
Outsourcing and on-demand resources
Flexibility is critical in today’s market. Over the past 25 years, we have adjusted our resources based on current needs and embraced different work models, including remote work, to connect with our global teams. By outsourcing non-core functions and using on-demand resources, including IT support, we keep costs down without sacrificing quality. This strategy allows us to remain agile and responsive to changing demands.
Being cost-efficient also means keeping a close eye on expenses and maintaining transparency. Axios has clear checks and balances in place, especially regarding quality and compliance, and good governance. Everyone, from a new joiner to the leadership team across the functions, has defined roles and responsibilities to ensure alignment with Axios’ goals.
We also have tight budgeting processes, with annual resource planning and metrics that keep us on track. This mindful use of resources enhances profitability and supports morale. The resulting cost savings enable us to invest in incentive schemes and training programs for employees, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
A tech-driven culture that complements the human touch in workplace relationships is essential for any company’s growth. Embracing automation and systems in our core business support services and operations has streamlined administrative tasks, reduced errors, and improved overall efficiency.
Our digital ecosystem, Axios+, allows us to deliver 360-degree patient care efficiently while effectively connecting with our stakeholders, clients, and partners. These technology-driven measures ensure effective cost control while improving patient and stakeholder satisfaction while ensuring optimal health outcomes. By integrating advanced technologies, Axios is now able to focus more on core activities that drive growth and innovation.
Integrating technology also enables us to serve patients, clients, and partners more effectively. Since our digital health ecosystem, Axios+ has been optimized, it has enhanced the experience for patients enrolled in our programs. It has also streamlined the effective delivery of Axios-managed Patient Access Programs. This tech-driven culture ensures that Axios stays ahead of the curve and continuously improves our services.
In the healthcare industry, lean and agile operations are critical. That’s why Axios prioritizes Identifying, onboarding, and empowering a pool of access experts and healthcare specialists to maintain high standards while controlling costs. Our recruitment process is managed internally through a standardized selection process. Axios employees follow a customized learning path with Axios-centric modules based on a 90-day onboarding plan, ensuring continuous learning and assessment.
Our cost-efficient practices are also reflected in our patient-centric work. Serving patients, healthcare professionals, clients, and partners in over 28+ countries, Axios understands the importance of localized expertise. All staff on the ground are crucial, and we ensure that we hire professionals with local experience and specialized backgrounds in all project locations. This approach helps us understand and meet the unique needs of patients in different regions.
The way forward
Reflecting on the past 25 years, Axios has grown steadily because we care for our patients and how we serve them. By taking the 360-degree approach to patient support, maintaining a lean operation, expanding meaningful client engagement, and optimizing resource allocation, which secures revenue growth year on year, our processes and systems are set up to empower people within Axios.
As we look to the future, Axios is well prepared to embrace emerging trends and technologies such as automation and data analytics. These advancements will shape sustainable best practices and strategies. Moving towards digitization will further enhance our ability to stay ahead and better serve our patients, healthcare professionals, clients, and partners.
Driving financial efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about making smart, strategic decisions that enhance productivity, boost morale, and ensure sustainable growth. These strategies are integral to Axios’ success and future readiness.
Healthcare in Mexico is an evolving topic of discussion, especially considering the challenges and opportunities patients face regarding access to health services. Mexico’s fragmented health system complicates the patient’s journey, especially in the case of chronic conditions, such as oncology.
In recent years, the reorganization of the Mexican health system, with the change of the Seguro Popular in January 2020 to the Institute of Health for Welfare (Insabi) and its subsequent replacement by the IMSS Bienestar in 2023, has introduced both significant opportunities and challenges, as this system serves more than 60 million people. It seeks to provide universal access to health services, especially for those not covered by Social Security.
However, the transition has been complicated, as highlighted by Laura Suchil, clinical researcher and former Director General of Research at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCAN): “The lack of clarity and communication about the transition process has created confusion among patients. In addition, maintaining the drug supply chain and retaining healthcare professionals are ongoing challenges.”
Laura, who has extensive experience in supporting patient programs and is a member of the Asociación Mexicana para el Estudio de la Hematología, said, “It is essential to work with civil society organizations (CSOs) to compensate for resource constraints in public institutions.” She also said that CSOs not only provide additional support to patients but also help cover critical aspects such as housing, transportation, and adequate information. “This collaborative approach has become essential, allowing the creation of targeted patient support programs that strengthen the health system’s responsiveness and improve the patient experience,” she added while speaking at a webinar organized by Axios International on ‘There is no health without access: Navigating a patient’s journey in Mexico.’
Stock Image: Organizations must work together to provide comprehensive support
Civil society perspective
Organizations must adapt to the diverse circumstances of the patient’s journey, from lack of care to specialist shortages, and work together to provide comprehensive support.
“It is crucial for organizations to collect and systemize information to facilitate the decision-making process. The fragmentation of the health system and information complicates the picture, but through networks and alliances, we can offer better support to patients,” said Leticia Aguiar, General Manager of ConAcción Salud and an expert consultant in civil society organizations.
It is also very important to prepare patients to participate in healthcare reform. The new architecture for social engagement in healthcare offers spaces for patients to contribute their expertise and knowledge, which can lead to a more patient-centered system. Education and empowerment in this context benefit the individual, strengthen the patient community, and improve the overall healthcare system.
A comprehensive and collaborative approach
The patient journey in Mexico is marked by several challenges, from economic conditions to lack of access to information and appropriate treatment. However, it is possible to improve access to quality healthcare through innovative and collaborative approaches, such as thosedesigned and managed by Axios International in partnership with the program sponsors and supported by various CSOs.
A patient-centered approach, such as that taken by Axios International, an access to healthcare company with over two decades of experience designing and implementing access solutions, prioritizing their unique needs and experiences, is essential to move towards a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system in Mexico.
Valeriia Mykolaienko, Regional Operations Lead at Axios International, speaking at the webinar, said: “One of the key opportunities is to continue to put the patient at the center, addressing accessibility challenges in a sustainable way by working together as partners with various stakeholders in the market. However, one of the biggest opportunities we see is having a more holistic approach to supporting patients because most of the patient journey happens outside the hospital setting.” It should be emphasized that one of the main challenges of the health system in Mexico is access to quality healthcare and affordability of innovative medicines. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is crucial to addressing these issues in a sustainable way. In addition, a holistic approach that considers patient support outside of the hospital setting is needed, which is essential to ease the burden on the health system and improve treatment outcomes.
Stock Image: A more holistic approach, and a shared vision can make access a reality for more people
Patient empowerment and continuing education
Another crucial aspect is patient empowerment. Patient education about their disease, treatment management, and support from family members and caregivers is critical to improving health outcomes.
Implementing digital solutions in health is urgent, especially for remote communities. Such digital tools enable efficient healthcare delivery and more robust data collection, essential for planning and developing effective health policies and access to healthcare strategies.
Digital apps such as Axios+ provide intuitive tools to enhance patients’ experiences and medical outcomes while facilitating the delivery of Axios-managed Patient Access Programs (PAPs and PSPs).
Effectively navigating the patient journey in Mexico, from the fragmentation of the health system to the accessibility of innovative treatments, is more critical than ever before. This is why scaling and seizing opportunities for improvement through collaboration with like-minded partners is significant. Collaboration between institutions, CSOs, and other stakeholders, along with holistic patient empowerment, education, and implementation of digital technologies, can transform the Mexican healthcare system to benefit more patients.
It is possible to build a more resilient and patient-centered healthcare system that improves health outcomes and promotes patients’ holistic well-being anywhere in the world. The patient journey in Mexico can be arduous, but with collaborative efforts, a more holistic approach, and a shared vision to make access a reality for more people, the path to equitable and efficient health care is achievable.
Healthcare professionals cannot alone achieve the shift to patient-centered medicine
More and more patients are increasingly spending more time of their journey outside the hospital. However, there is a lack of adequate patient support and services that offer them assistance where and when they need it most.
Shifting to a patient-centered healthcare model means a necessary and urgent change in the healthcare system. As we know, the hospital model has remained practically unchanged for the last 100 years. This underscores a troubling reality. Despite technological and scientific advances, hospitals’ structure and approach remain anchored in an outdated paradigm that prioritizes disease over the well-being of the whole patient.
Historically, hospitals have focused on treating specific diseases with a fragmented, intervention-oriented approach rather than prevention. This model has effectively addressed medical emergencies and acute conditions, but in a world where chronic diseases are on the rise and personalized care is becoming more relevant, this approach falls frankly short.
“This is happening worldwide,” said Dr. Armando Garduño, Palliative Care and Quality of Life Support Area Head from the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP) in Mexico City. “Healthcare is very mechanized; it focuses on the disease of the patient. There is still a lot of progress to be made all over the world.”
The traditional hospital model is often rigid and lacks adaptability. Standardized rooms, strict and inviolable schedules, and an inscrutable medical hierarchy often exclude patients from important decisions. Although these aspects have worked in the past, they are inadequate to meet today’s public health challenges.
“The health system must be strengthened, with more support for primary care, more prevention, and more resources to treat chronic diseases such as cancer; nothing should be missing. Patient and family-centered care is a strategy to ensure that care is comprehensive and that the patient is seen as a person, subject to rights, as a human being, not just as a disease, and naturally in the family, especially in pediatrics,” said Dr. Armando.
Stock Image: There is a greater need for specialized healthcare with personalized access to care and treatment
Need for change: Patient-centered medicine
The aging population and increased incidence and prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases have increased the need for lifelong and/or costly specialty medications, leading to a greater need for specialized healthcare with personalized access to care and treatment, as a significant portion of the patient journey happens outside the hospitals.
For the past 25 years, Axios International has been working to build a sustainable access ecosystem to fill these gaps in the space outside the hospital and improve patient health and medical outcomes. Using sustainable access solutions carefully curated around patient journeys, the Axios team leverages a broad, trusted network of stakeholder relationships.
Valeriia Mykolaienko, Regional Operations Lead at Axios International, said: “At Axios, we put the patient at the center of everything we do, and that is why our access solutions go beyond the hospitals to reach patients where they are. We work with local stakeholders in the market and bring global expertise to ensure that patients get the right medication at the right time without having to make huge sacrifices to pay for this type of treatment that their treating clinic has prescribed. Our focus is on end-to-end access to treatment. Otherwise, the patient will not be able to get the full medical benefit from their treatment.”
“This approach improves the quality of care, increases patient satisfaction, and improves long-term health outcomes. Patient-centered medicine promotes collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring that medical decisions are informed and shared.
And we do this by creating personalized treatment plans that consider everyone’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. This comprehensive approach considers the patient’s medical condition in social, emotional, and economic contexts. In this way, it seeks to offer more holistic and effective care”, she said. According to a study published in the Journal of Participatory Medicine, patients actively involved in their health care have better health outcomes and, therefore, greater satisfaction during their day. Axios provides 360-degree patient support in all partnered access programs we set up and manage, from access to diagnosis to treatment and maximized adherence solutions.
This holistic approach improves the quality of care, increases patient satisfaction, and improves long-term health outcomes. Most importantly, patient-centered medicine is achieved through successful collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring that medical decisions are informed and shared.
Stock Image: Investing in technologies facilitating communication and information access is crucial
Investments needed for transformation
Investing in technologies facilitating communication and information access is crucial to achieving this transformation. Digital platforms that allow patients to access their medical records, communicate with their doctors, and manage their appointments contribute to greater patient empowerment.
It is also essential to train health professionals in interpersonal skills and empathy, which are often the “Achilles heel” of many doctors. However, healthcare providers must be knowledgeable in technical skills and the ability to listen to and understand patients’ concerns and wishes. Empathy and effective communication are key components to establishing a trusting and collaborative relationship with the patient. Keeping these factors in mind, Axios has developed Axios+, which provides integrated patient support with an all-in-one digital health solution. Axios+ is designed to enable and complement such physician-patient, patient-caregiver, and patient-pharmacist relationships. It is the first and only full suite of digital solutions designed to improve patient access and adherence to treatment.
Technologies like Axios+ are enablers. Public policies should support this transition by financing health technologies, promoting continuing education for health professionals, and implementing standards encouraging patient-centered care.
Stock Image:It is important to recognize and emphasize that patient well-being does not depend only on medical treatments but on holistic care
Towards a future of holistic care
The transition to patient-centered medicine is more than a trend; it is imperative for adapting the health system to the demands of the 21st century.
The care of the future must be comprehensive, considering all aspects of the patient’s life and not just their illness. Such change requires a concerted effort and a long-term vision.
Therefore, it is important to recognize and emphasize that patient well-being does not depend only on medical treatments but on holistic care that includes prevention, education, and emotional support. Patient-centered medicine is an imperative in healthcare and a move towards a more equitable and compassionate society where everyone receives the care they need and deserve.
Modern medicine must evolve towards a model that puts the patient at the center of all decisions and processes and facilitates the management of patients with chronic diseases outside the hospitals to relieve the burden on patients and their families, providers, and payers. All stakeholders in the health system should work together to bring about this change. The healthcare system can move toward a healthier, more humane future for all with a renewed, patient-centered approach.
