The Journal of Globalization and Health recently published an interesting article entitled “Benefits of global partnerships to facilitate access to medicines:  a multi-country analysis of patients and patient outcomes in GIPAP.” The article concludes that The Glivec International Assistance Program (GIPAP) has a significant positive effect on patient access to important medicines for a life threatening condition such as Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

The Glivec International Assistance Program (GIPAP) is a program designed by Novartis in partnership with the Max Foundation and other NGOs to provide Glivec (imatinib) -- a treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia -- free of cost to eligible patients in developing countries who meet specific medical and socio-economic guidelines.

“Drug donation and distribution programs such as GIPAP may provide an alternative platform for drug access to eligible patients in developing countries. By building on existing structures in health facilities and mobilizing clinicians at no additional cost to local health systems, GIPAP enables access to a life-saving medication at no cost to patients or the local health care systems and transforming a life-threatening disease into a chronic condition.”

The article also highlights the fact that “This is not the only global partnership that helps provide important medicines to people who cannot afford them in developing countries.”  While there are many such public-private partnerships, the authors specifically mention the International Trachoma Initiative (Pfizer), The Mectizan Partnership (Merck) and the Accelerated Access Initiative, which involves seven research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers and five UN partners aiming to provide better access to ARV drugs in developing countries.