The Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP)

When Glivec® was launched, Novartis also introduced one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching patient assistance programs ever implemented on a global scale.

By the end of 2007, more than 27 000 people in more than 80 countries with certain forms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) had received treatment under the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP).

A separate Patient Assistance Program in the US provided treatment for 3 000 patients in 2007.

GIPAP provides Glivec at no cost to eligible patients in countries with no or minimal reimbursement capabilities and no available generic versions of Glivec. Access is provided to patients who are properly diagnosed, not covered by local reimbursement or insurance, and have no other financial resources.

In a number of countries, local Glivec assistance programs take the form of a new 'shared contribution' model, whereby countries pay part of the cost. Joining forces and dividing up the cost is an important step toward sustainable patient access.

We also believe shared contribution models can be a trigger for emerging countries to ultimately broaden reimbursement of very innovative treatments which are highly cost-effective.

Read more about GIPAP.