In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Novartis and Docquity have launched a digital patient access program for advanced breast cancer to assist patients in complying with treatment, enhance patient outcomes, and support Universal Health Care in the Philippines. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Filipino women, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, next to lung and liver cancer.1
“With the high cost of treatment and most Filipinos paying out-of-pocket for health expenditures, patients undergoing breast cancer treatment can fall into financial hardship. We thank Novartis and its partners for offering a digital patient access program to support Filipino women living with advanced breast cancer,” said Ms. Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Founding President, ICanServeFoundation.
“Providing patients with financial assistance facilitates compliance to breast cancer therapy, which is vital in ensuring optimal treatment outcomes. The launch of the Novartis digital patient access program is indeed a welcome development both for Filipino breast cancer patients and local oncologists,” said Dr. Ellie MayVillegas, Past President, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO).
“At Novartis, patients are our priority. That's why we go beyond the medicines we make to bring patients living with breast cancer the support and resources they need to help them during their journey. We are privileged to work with our partner oncologists and pharmacies in helping Filipino women living with breast cancer gain access to innovative therapies,” said Joel Chong, General Manager, Novartis Oncology Philippines.
Partner pharmacies of the Novartis digital patient access program for advanced breast cancer are Globo Asiatico, MedExpress, Watsons, and Onco Care. Patients are encouraged to talk to their oncologist for more details about the program.
Novartis, the Department of Health, ICanServeFoundation, and Philippine Hospital Association are pleased to share a patient education video on HR-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. It aims to raise awareness on the different types of metastatic breast cancers with a key message that not all breast cancers are the same, and highlight the importance of determining the specific type of metastatic breast cancer in targeted treatment planning. The video is available at: https://www.novartis.com.ph/sites/www.novartis.com.ph/files/Novartis%20ABC%20English-1_480pSD.mp4