Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP)

A direct-to-patient model, GIPAP opened in 2002 in response to lower-income countries facing access and reimbursement challenges for cancer treatments, and a lack of patient support and oncology infrastructures. GIPAP initially provided Glivec® (imatinib) at no cost to patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with no access to reimbursement or funding mechanisms, and to those unable to pay for the medication in these countries. In GIPAP, Novartis managed the supply chain and direct interaction with local stakeholders (e.g., physicians, treatment centers, NGOs, private companies and governments) while The Max Foundation provided patients psychosocial support and education. Since 2002, it has operated in over 75 countries and has served approximately 75,000 people.