Ongoing challenges of a global international patient assistance program.

The Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) that is supported by Novartis Oncology provides Glivec (imatinib), an innovative oral therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumours, at no cost to patients in developing countries who could otherwise not afford treatment. Using a novel direct-to-patient approach this program is currently successfully providing Glivec to underserved patients in 81 countries. A number of challenges were faced in the implementation of this program in countries where cancer is not a priority, and where the healthcare and other infrastructure can be very limited. By working within the existing healthcare system of each country, and with any national cancer control programme that may be in place, through careful selection of qualified institutions and physicians, while maintaining a global approach to ensure consistency and quality, GIPAP has become an efficient and sustainable access program. Novartis has made a long-term commitment to GIPAP, and is currently exploring new patient access programs for other drugs.