Bristol Myers Expands Opdivo Access in Pakistan, Rwanda, and More

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is setting a new course to improve cancer treatment accessibility in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With a vision to reach over 200,000 patients by 2033, BMS has embarked on a decade-long initiative to expand the availability of its medications. A significant component of this strategy is BMS’s collaboration with the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, which it joined as a founding supporter in 2022.

In collaboration with ATOM and its partners, BMS plans to introduce an access model specifically for Opdivo, its cancer immunotherapy drug, in select countries including Pakistan, Rwanda, and Zambia. BMS also aims to develop an integrated pathway to extend Opdivo's reach to several other LMICs by 2026. This initiative fits within BMS's broader commitment to improving global cancer care.

Beyond just immuno-oncology, BMS is addressing affordability and access by introducing localized brands for many of its drugs in LMICs. The goal is to reduce the time lag between the availability of these drugs in higher-income countries and their accessibility in lower-income countries. In 2023 alone, BMS filed for 11 drug approvals in LMICs and received five approvals.

BMS’s 10-year plan includes deploying "direct import" and "direct-to-institution" (DTI) distribution channels in regions where it does not have a commercial presence. The direct import approach will grant access to 12 medicines in over 80 LMICs using a tiered pricing structure. The DTI pathway, on the other hand, will depend on collaborations with local treatment partners to ensure effective distribution and utilization of drugs.

Initially, the DTI efforts will focus on Pakistan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. BMS is also exploring or establishing DTI partnerships in six additional countries. This strategic move by BMS is in line with broader trends among major pharmaceutical companies.

In a similar vein, AstraZeneca launched the "Accelerating Change Together for Cancer Care in Africa" project in late 2022. This initiative aims to enhance local cancer care through early screening and diagnosis, patient empowerment, and other methods. AstraZeneca's program is guided by a steering committee of doctors, oncology institutions, and advocacy groups.

Moreover, multiple pharmaceutical companies joined the ATOM Coalition when it was launched in 2022. This coalition includes notable names like AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Gilead Sciences, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and Teva. As one of the coalition's early access moves, Novartis announced it would license its chronic myeloid leukemia drug, Tasigna, to the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). The agreement has allowed four generic drug manufacturers—BrightGene from Indonesia, and Dr. Reddy’s, Eugia, and Hetero from India—to produce generic versions of Tasigna. These generics will be available in six countries, including Egypt, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tunisia, and will serve 44 territories.

In summary, Bristol Myers Squibb's commitment to cancer care in LMICs represents a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies to improve global health equity. Through strategic collaborations and innovative distribution methods, BMS aims to make significant strides in making crucial medications more accessible and affordable in underserved regions.