Axios International and the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), announced a new cooperation agreement to improve patient access and adherence to treatment for oncology patients in Malaysia.
Axios International, a healthcare access company specializes in developing practical and sustainable solutions to patient access challenges in emerging markets. It has 23 years of experience in designing and implementing patient access solutions in more than 100 countries across the globe. The not-for-profit cancer organization, the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), provides education, care and support services to cancer patients in Malaysia. Over the last 50 years, it provides holistic cancer support to patients and caregivers. NCSM supports patients in understanding and dealing with cancer in various phases through its five cancer centres – the Cancer and Health Screening Clinic, Nuclear Medicine Centre, Resource and Wellness Centre, Quit Smoking Clinic and the Children’s Home of Hope
The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focuses on supporting patients by improving diagnosis, treatment accessibility and treatment benefits. Through its Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), Axios supports eligible patients across Malaysia to overcome affordability barriers through individual means testing, allowing for completion of their treatment even if they can’t afford to pay for it in full. In unison, NCSM raises awareness on the prevention, screening and early detection of cancer through education, as well as provides patients with psychosocial support to increase adherence, empowering them to maintain a high quality of life.
“Sustainable access solutions must go beyond treatment affordability and help patients stay on treatment. These solutions should take into consideration country-specific indicators, individual patient needs and personalized adherence support to maximize treatment outcomes,” said Roshel Jayasundera, Director, Global Consulting, Axios International. “Partnerships such as the one with NCSM help us reach more patients while providing them with support beyond the clinical setting to address any challenges that might impact their journey.”
The agreement is based on a holistic approach, addressing barriers throughout the patient journey starting from disease awareness, the impact of the community, navigating the healthcare system and eventually having access to and adhering to treatment, in order to ultimately maximize treatment benefits.
“This partnership promises to bring together a multi-pronged solution to help reduce barriers faced by cancer patients in navigating their cancer treatment journey. While Axios works on resolving the financial aspects and hurdles faced by patients; NCSM is excited to be given this opportunity to work closely with patients in need of different forms of psychosocial support; long recognized as part of the insurmountable barriers in cancer care,” said Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Medical Director, National Cancer Society Malaysia. “Together we hope to be able to assist patients in obtaining the care they need and successfully start and complete their cancer treatment journey.” [APBN]