The Novartis Oncology Access (NOA) Program is a shared-contribution initiative that helps underprivileged Filipino patients with cancer access life-saving treatments. Launched in 2002, it supports patients suffering from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) by ensuring they receive effective treatment even if they face financial challenges.
Key Details About the NOA Program
- Program Objectives. The NOA Program operates on the principle of partnership. Patients who can afford a portion of their treatment cost contribute, while Novartis covers the remaining expenses, ensuring that those with no financial means still receive free treatment.
- Conditions Covered. The program focuses on patients diagnosed with:
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- How the Program Works.
- Novartis donates the unaffordable portion of the treatment cost for Imatinib or Nilotinib, ensuring patients complete their full-year cancer treatment.
- Around 1,400 active NOA patients in the Philippines currently benefit from this initiative, receiving care through partner-physicians.
- Key Partnerships. The program collaborates with various organizations to enhance its reach and effectiveness:
- 300 physicians across the Philippines oversee patient care.
- The Max Foundation, a global patient advocacy organization, improves the lives of blood cancer and rare cancer patients.
- CIBI Information, Inc., assists with financial eligibility screening.
- MedExpress, the program’s pharmacy partner, dispenses cancer treatments.
- Touched by Max Philippines, a non-profit organization supporting leukemia patients.
How to Join the Program
Patients interested in the NOA Program should:
- Consult their attending physician. Qualified physicians can evaluate a patient’s eligibility and help them enroll in the program.
- Prepare financial information. Eligibility screening is conducted to assess the patient’s capacity to contribute to treatment costs.
Contact Information
For inquiries, patients are encouraged to reach out to their attending physicians, who are equipped to provide more details about the program and assist with enrollment.
The Novartis Oncology Access Program is a life-changing initiative for underprivileged cancer patients in the Philippines. By bridging the gap between financial capability and access to treatment, the program ensures that more patients have a chance at better health and survival. Through collaboration with healthcare professionals and organizations, NOA continues to uplift the lives of Filipino cancer patients in need.
